Tineke Greek Spoor: owner of Bij Tien

When you walk into Bij Tien, you can feel the atmosphere. You will certainly see something that you recognize from the past: the kitchen and dining table with grandma's chairs and Aunt Bep's rusk tin. The entire interior exudes tranquility. A longing for the past, when people had more time for each other. You can see the products along the walls, displayed in boxes. All from the region. Tineke Greekpoor started her shop a year ago, perhaps with a bit of a sense of nostalgia. “I want to bring back the atmosphere of the past. People see recognizable things, then the stories come naturally.”

Products made with passion

In the Bij Tien store, named after the owner, you walk past the products and choose them. But you also sit down for a nice cup of coffee with an old Dutch gingerbread. And a conversation with Tineke Greekpoor. Born in the house next to her shop, so a real Vennepse. “I have always been interested in regional products, products that do not come from a wholesaler. These products are made with passion and on a small scale. My father was a farmer. It was nice to see how he was always passionate about his wheat, potatoes and sugar beets. We lived off that. Isn't it nice to know where your stuff comes from?

I personally visit the people where I get the products. Beautiful products, produced by small-scale companies. The personal comes first.
Tineke Greek Spoor

Regional products, coffee and a chat

“I actually combined the two things I did in my volunteer work. When you work with the elderly, you have a lot of conversations. And at Korenmolen De Eersteling we had many regular customers who came for the regional products. They stay for a chat and a cup of coffee. It's a good way to get to know people. My husband then came up with the idea of ​​starting my own business here; a shop with regional products and space for coffee and conversation.” 
It's not really a farm shop. Tineke: “Then I would have to sell more fruit and vegetables. I do that sometimes, but not always. I sell products from the region. Not everything is for sale in Haarlemmermeer. Then I'll go looking. I personally visit the people where I get the products. Beautiful products, produced by small-scale companies. The personal comes first.” In the hall in front of the store there is a vending machine containing two types of cheese, potatoes, eggs, pear juice and small gift packages. This means that people can also visit outside opening hours.

I am proud of my history and want to share that personal story.
Tineke Greek Spoor

Personal atmosphere

Tineke: “The space was there, it was empty. I decorated it to my own taste. Cozy and recognizable. Simple, but it works because there is a need for it. There are many personal items in the store. A photo of my father with my youngest son. Photos of the old house built by my grandparents. A cupboard with all personal items. I am proud of my history and want to share that personal story. The feeling that I had a nice childhood here, you could taste that atmosphere in my store.” People know where to find Bij Tien, mainly through word of mouth. “The regular customers mainly come from the area. Furthermore, cyclists stop who are curious about what is for sale. The IJweg is a busy road, so it sometimes happens that people often drive past here and then drive onto the site to see for themselves what is here.”

Haarlemmermeer feels like coming home

Her spontaneous reaction when hearing the word 'Haarlemmermeer' comes without thinking about it: “Coming home. That is the most important. The most beautiful thing about Haarlemmermeer is its heritage. We should be proud of that. I recommend everyone to visit the Historical Museum. There you will find our history. And of course I hope that people can find my door, in order to build contacts with new people so that we can maintain the village feeling. I would like to continue with what I am doing now. Providing fun for the people who come here.”

Contact

At Ten
IJweg 1481
2152NC Nieuw Vennep
The Netherlands