V&D – Vroom and Dreesman department store

V&D are the initials of Vroom and Dreesman, the biggest Dutch chain of department stores. Its Amsterdam store addresses itself to the middle class buyer, trying to keep prices and the quality on on the middle level as well. The range of the products they sell is very wide, but for a tourist the most attractive is their food shop and restaurant La Place, with the wide choice of simple meals, pizzas, sandwiches, fruits, fresh juice.

A few words of history
The V&D had been established in 1887 by Anton Dreesmann en Willem Vroom. Anton Dreesmann was born in Germany in 1854, in Haselünne near Hanover, where his father had a shop. 13 years old Anton left home, first to study in a school of commerce in nearby Osnabrück and in 1871, to avoid the Prussian military service, left for the Netherlands where he opended his first shop in Amsterdam, with Willem Vroom, who was his brother in law.
Dreesmann´s son Willem and grandson Anton further developed the company into the big retailing concern, with the department stores in every important Dutch city.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Vroom & Dreesman went through a big crisis. Several department stores were closed. The clients resented V&D feeling that the stores are not modern in their choice of merchandise and the selling methods.
Today V&D is a division of Koninklijke Vendex, the biggest Dutch non-food retailer, which has in total 1.800 shops in seven countries and the turnover of € 4,5 billion a year. A constant effort is being made to modernize the V&D stores.

The store
The V&D sells everything: clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, home electric appliances, kitchen utensils, furniture, china, stationary, tourist and camping equipment, books and CD´s.
The prices are never beyond average but the choice is also addressed to the wide public. A lot of clothes and other products made especially for V&D.

La Place – bakery, restaurant and the Mangerie fresh food store
Elegant and modern, simple fresh food shop and restaurant La Place is a perfect place to eat lunch or a small meal during the day.
Their food is perfect, healthy, their choice is abundant. Bread from V&D own bakery (baked on the spot) is always fresh. Many small meals, pizzas, salads. Also an impressive choice of fruits.
The service not always experienced and professional but always helpful and friendly. Good inexpensive wines, sold also in glasses. Good coffee.

V&D Vroom en Dreesmann, Amsterdam - Kalverstraat
Address: Rokin 203
1012 XC Amsterdam.
There is an annex to the V&D shop with books and stationary at Kalverstraat 201.
Telephone: + 31 900 2358363

Open daily:
Monday 11.00 - 18.30 h.
Tuesday 10.00 - 18.30 h.
Wednesday 10.00 - 18.30 h.
Thursday 10.00 - 21.00 h.
Friday 10.00 - 18.30 h.
Saturday 10.00- 18.30 h.
Sunday 12.00 - 18.00 h.

Location
Located directly at the Munt tower with two entries: from Rokin 203 and from Kalverstraat, the Amsterdam main shopping street. V&D is within a 10 minutes walking distance from the Dam square.

Parking
If you intend to use your car in Amsterdam, you may park it in the underground parking under the big, white building of the Stopera on the Waterlooplein and walk to the Munt (ca. 5 minutes walk).
Website: http://www.vd.nl/

Please note that there is a huge V&D store near Amsterdam, in Amstelveeen (Buitenplein 101, 1181 ZE Amstelveen).