Rick de Vries (34) from Twentse Overdinkel has found a very creative way to keep his fish restaurant open despite the catering closure. He set up a large party tent for his business and was able to move the seating area from the Netherlands to Germany. Much to the delight of his predominantly German customers. “The need is just there,” the Tukker tells this site.
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He considers himself lucky that the Dutch-German border passes right in front of his business. “In the Netherlands only take-away meals are allowed, but my German customers just want to sit and eat fried kibbeling and herring.” The first week after the lockdown, on October 14, many Germans made again turns around after the announcement that they could only take dishes with them. That was de Vries’ heart. “I thought: I have to do something with that. Especially because I have to get it from the Germans. About 70 to 80 percent of my clientele comes from Germany. ”
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According to him, the solution was quickly found. “Restaurants can still be open in Germany. The terrace at the front of my store is on German soil. What if I put a large party tent there so that the customers can eat there, I thought. ” Inquiries with the municipality of Losser showed that he was doing nothing wrong with that. Since last week, his customers can enjoy the fish dishes seated and at a corona-safe distance from each other. “It took some getting used to for me because I always have to put on a face mask as soon as I cross the border,” says the Tukker.
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Extra pressure
In addition to the regular customers, De Vries saw many new faces this weekend. “It was extra busy with Germans living further away in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. I think, thanks to the great interest of German media. We have had three camera crews from German television visiting in the past few days and today a reporter and photographer from image. Apart from that, the need is simply there, also among the Dutch. People just miss it to sit together and have something to eat. ”
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According to the restaurant owner, it saves a lot in turnover. “I hope I can keep running like this, but the clientele is still 50 percent less than for corona. Let’s hope that there will not be a complete catering lockdown in the Netherlands because then I will no longer be able to fry fish and that would be a disaster, ” says Rick de Vries.
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