History of Andries de Jong

In 1787, the same year that the Prussian troops invaded our country and besieged Amsterdam, rope maker Andries de Jong settled on the Singel directly opposite the Munttoren. A true craftsman, who processed yarns into rope along a line. His name would forever be associated with this store, which grew into a company in shipping supplies and related matters. His house can be seen in a painting by Isaac Ouwater (1750-1793) 'View of the Singel and the Munttoren'. It gives an idea of ​​what his environment looked like at the time. Beautiful houses all around and the odd walker here and there. A graceful carriage with a palfrenier drawn by two white horses that ascends the narrow bridge between the Singel and the Binnen-Amstel. The water is a lot busier with sailing ships and cargo boats. Of course they all needed rope. There was still a port here until the mid-twentieth century. Now, after more than two centuries, the environment has changed radically. Andries de Jong 's four-storey shop building is located at the end of the busiest stretch of Singelgracht and, except for one house, on the corner of Kalverstraat. The narrow bridge that once became the widest bridge in Amsterdam through various extensions, the current Muntplein. Traffic rushes past from all sides, drowned out every fifteen minutes by the jubilant sounds of the carillon of the Munttoren. The flower market has been on the other side since 1862.

All these changes took place right in front of the door of this special store. In 1847 Andries de Jong Jr. the rope making business to his brother-in-law G. Blokhuis and to Johan Lodewijk Krom. The latter heralds the Krom period, which continues to this day. Now it is Ian Krom, the 5th generation of the family to run the business and the 7th generation in a row of owners since its founding. Over time, Andries de Jong became a supplier of tarred and untarred cordage, lifting blocks, anchors, steel wire rope, packing and binding rope, ship supplies and brass bar and stair railings for use in the catering industry. The Amsterdam flag has been flying high for thirty years, because Andries de Jong has traditionally been known as a supplier of banners, flags and pennants, which were made for years in his own studio at Spui 26. (text: Els van Wageningen, see more about our history and other Amsterdam stores at www.winkelstories.com)