Rob and Tina Bots, owners of Dutch Treats store in downtown Bradford, have officially sold the business to new owner Mardy Broks.
A Bradford native with Dutch roots, Broks says he is excited about the new venture and wants to continue the store's 68-year legacy in the downtown. Broks remembers shopping at the store as a child, eating all the Dutch delicacies it had to offer.
It's nostalgic to be back in the store, he says, but on the other side of the cash register.
"I love the Dutch cheese. The main reason I bought the store is to get the Dutch cheese for a better price," he said with a laugh.
Broks was working as a project manager and doing a lot of travelling for work when COVID hit, and business went downhill. He then planned to sell his Bradford home, retire and move up north, but his family in the area convinced him to stay.
"I got to stay close," he said. "So this (Dutch Treats) came up, and I said let's go for it. I can make a comfortable living, my commute now is two and a half minutes."
Broks plans to keep the shop running the same as it always has, but incorporate Dutch artwork to sell.
"I have some windmills with tulips coming," he said, "And I'll have custom items where they (customers) can put their family name on them."
A few months ago, the Botses decided to put the business up for sale with plans to move farther northeast to the Ottawa area. It's bittersweet for the couple, who have owned and operated the business since 2016, and are the fifth owners of the shop.
"It's mixed emotions," Tina Bots said.
"It's all very strange," added Rob, noting the sale of the business went rather quickly over the weekend.
But the couple will be on hand to help Broks with the transition over the next few weeks, before saying goodbye and planning for their move.
"They're helping me out, getting me familiar with everything," said Broks.
The couple purchased the shop from former owners Louise and Cor Den Bleker after Rob had been working for the Den Bleker's business as a bookkeeper. Rob first moved to Canada from the Netherlands 11 years after meeting Tina online and falling in love. The couple got married and bought the Dutch Treats business together.
Tina is originally from the Ottawa area and has always wanted to move closer to her family. She has lived in Bradford for the past 24 years, raising her three children. Now that they are all grown up and moved out of the house, the couple figured it was the perfect opportunity to sell the business and start fresh in a new city.
The store first opened in 1954, providing a taste of home for the Dutch settlers who had immigrated to Bradford and the Holland Marsh. They sell a variety of Dutch items such as windmill cookies, salted black licorice and chocolate sprinkles, soups, and cheeses.
At the back of the store is a cheese shop, with various imported cheeses, including Gouda cheese from Holland. They also have small gifts and souvenirs, like clogs and T-shirts, set up around the store and available for purchase.
Dutch Treats is located at 15 Holland St. E., in downtown Bradford.
