History of Andries de Jong

In 1787 , the same year that Prussian troops invaded our country and besieged Amsterdam, ropemaker Andries de Jong established himself on the Singel canal, directly across from the Munttoren (Mint Tower). A true craftsman, he processed yarn into rope on a ropewalk. His name would forever be linked to this shop, which grew into a business specializing in ship supplies and related items. His house is depicted in a painting by Isaac Ouwater (1750-1793), "View of the Singel and the Munttoren." It gives a glimpse of what his surroundings looked like at the time. Magnificent houses surround it, and here and there, a few strollers. An elegant carriage drawn by two white horses, with a groom, crosses the narrow bridge between the Singel and the Binnen-Amstel. The water is much busier with sailing ships and cargo boats. Naturally, they all needed rope. Until the mid-twentieth century, there was still a harbor here. Now, after more than two centuries, the area has changed radically. Andries de Jong 's four-story shop stands at the end of the busiest stretch of the Singelgracht canal and, with one house remaining, on the corner of Kalverstraat. Through various expansions, the once narrow bridge became Amsterdam's widest bridge, now known as Muntplein. Traffic roars past from all directions, drowned out every fifteen minutes by the jubilant chimes of the Munttoren's carillon. The flower market has been located on the other side since 1862.

All these changes took place right on the doorstep of this unique shop. In 1847, Andries de Jong Jr. handed over the rope-making business to his brother-in-law, G. Blokhuis, and to Johan Lodewijk Krom. The latter ushered in the Krom era, which continues to this day. Now, Ian Krom, the fifth generation of the family, runs the business and the seventh consecutive generation of owners since its founding. Over time, Andries de Jong became a supplier of tarred and untarred rope, hoisting blocks, anchors, steel wire rope, packing and binding twine, ship's supplies, and brass bar and stair railings for use in the hospitality industry. The Amsterdam flag has been flying high for thirty years, as Andries de Jong has traditionally been known as a supplier of banners, flags, and pennants, which were, incidentally, made for many years in their own workshop at Spui 26. (Text: Els van Wageningen. For more about our history and other Amsterdam shops, visit www.winkelstories.com)