Sonja Olthuis, center manager of Hoofddorp Winkelstad

Sonja, what is your link with Haarlemmermeer?  

I myself live in Amsterdam, so not in Haarlemmermeer. But I have been working in it for more than 15 years Hoofddorp Shopping city and since 2011 directly for the entrepreneurs as center manager. 

I am working on the future-proofing of the shopping centre. I do this together with the board of Stichting Ondernemersfonds Hoofddorp-Centrum (SOHC) and my colleague, Birgit Cramer van den Bogaart. I focus, among other things, on the policy, the vision and the positioning of the centre. We also work together with the municipality of Haarlemmermeer to ensure good accessibility. And ample and affordable parking for our visitors. Together we think about how we can keep the center even cleaner, healthier and safer. In addition to the basic responsibility for this from the municipality. 

Me and my team are doing our best to manage the center's marketing. We work on the decoration of the shopping centre, take care of communication and are the first point of contact. This of course also includes our own website and social media. 

What kind of shops can you find in the shopping center of Hoofddorp? 

Hoofddorp Winkelstad consists of a mix of our “local heroes” – entrepreneurs from the area – and larger branch companies. We also have a number of indoor shopping centres, but also smaller shopping streets, each with its own atmosphere. It is precisely because of this mix that Hoofddorp Winkelstad differs from the surrounding shopping centres.  

Are there also nice places to have lunch in the center? 

In our shopping center you will find a large number of catering establishments, ranging from day to evening catering and for all ages. The choice is still growing: from Italian and Indian restaurants, sushi restaurants, pizzerias, and fast food chains, to cozy cafes and coffee shops. 

Are there any new developments planned? 

Hoofddorp Winkelstad is part of Hoofddorp City Center. This is roughly the area between the station and the Hoofdvaart. Numerous developments are planned here, such as 5.000 new homes and the new Town Hall. New construction is also planned at various locations in the shopping area with homes, shops, restaurants and parking.

What about parking at the mall? 

Hoofddorp Winkelstad is easily accessible by car, which is also important and distinctive for our shopping centre. There are many parking options in the center. You can park your car for free in the blue zone, cheaply on the street, or comfortably directly below the shopping centre. If you come by public transport, you can take a direct bus from Hoofddorp train station to the shopping centre. 

What makes Hoofddorp Shopping City unique in Haarlemmermeer? 

Hoofddorp is the lively heart of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. Living, shopping, working and going out are combined here. In addition to shops, we also have a cinema, casino and C. (formerly: the Cultuurgebouw). C. includes a theater, pop stage, cultural center and a library.  

In addition, the shopping area is becoming increasingly multifunctional, for example with sports facilities, so you will actually find everything here. What also makes us unique is the green character of the shopping centre. Including approximately 150 boxes with old and young fruit trees and colorful flower boxes that hang from the light poles from spring to autumn. Our visitors greatly appreciate our green appearance. 

What are you proud of in Haarlemmermeer? 

I am proud that we have a center here with the ambition to become a city center. But while retaining the village character. I am especially proud of our entrepreneurs, who have returned to work with enthusiasm and energy after the corona pandemic.  

But also on the project developers and investors, who see opportunities in our shopping center and convert this into beautiful new buildings. This allows us to continue working together on a future-proof Hoofddorp Winkelstad. 

I definitely invite visitors to spend a day shopping in us full mall. That will only get better!