At the beginning of the evening on Thursday, March 31, 2016, the new city and terrace café Pronk was officially opened during the champagne sabre. Groningen is again richer with a catering facility that can be shown off.
In the afternoon, all invited guests are welcomed in the unique terrace garden of city café Pronk with a drink, after which they are addressed by owner Wim ten Cate, historical researcher Beno Hofman and alderman Joost van Keulen.
motto
Ten Cate looks proud as he says that he and his partners Joop and Gerben have started the renovation of the building from 1 February. He thanks the former owners of the former Zomers for leaving behind a good foundation and their advice. Many parties have made suggestions for the name of the new catering facility, but Ten Cate explains that the name Pronk was the right one. It is short, Dutch, Gronings (derives from the Groningen word 'Pronkjewail' from Grönnens Laid) and it says something about the building; this can be shown off.
Pronk should radiate the Groningen Enjoyment, which is achieved by, among other things, the collaboration with various distinctive urban entrepreneurs and suppliers. Ten Cate mentions Homemade bun in the Brugstraat and Barrel Wine in the Haddingestraat, which will also let you taste different wines in the cellar during the opening.
History
The property at Vismarkt 56 is one of the first stone houses in this part of town. Inside you can still find masonry that dates from the Middle Ages, around 13e century. Beno Hoffman, historical researcher and publicist, once devoted an episode of his Beno's Stad program to the restoration and conversion into a catering facility. Hofman says that when he heard the name Pronk he had to think of the Scheveningen fish trade Pronk in Folkingestraat 14, about 80 years ago, or of Cornelis Pronk, a well-known topographical draftsman whose drawings can still be found in the Groninger Museum. .
He also mentions several special residents of the building: William Macdowell, for example, one of the first professors at Groningen University in the 17th century.e century. Subsequently, a century later, the building came into the ownership of Reverend Jacobus Fruytier, who presumably installed the monumental staircase and had beautiful stucco put together. From 1856 the well-known painter HW Mesdag lived here with his wife Sientje van Houten. Before the building was given a catering destination, it housed a bank (1975 – 2005). Elements of this sofa still emerged during the renovation last February, such as the bulletproof glass.
City and terrace cafe
Pronk knows how to beautifully highlight and enhance its old historical elements through the contrast of a modern interior. The catering facility in the heart of Groningen is a good asset with its heated city terrace, bright garden room and stylish restaurant. In addition to enjoying a snack and a drink, the city café also offers suitable spaces and options for parties and business meetings or as a flexible workplace. Joost van Keulen calls the opportunity a great asset to the city. “Groningers are quite modest, that may be different, we should be a little more proud.” According to the alderman. Who knows, the new Pronk can help with that.
For more information about Pronk see this page or click here for the site.
Main photo: Gerben, Wim and Joop (left to right) by Baudewijn Photography (baudewijn.nl)
