As for the location, you can hardly think of a better place in Groningen. The Rietschans is a top spot on the Paterswoldse lake. Peace, space and vastness. Not an annoying place to dine or, what would it be, a beer with a portion of bitterballen.
Gerrit Pieter Heida has been manager of the company for two years The Rietschance. He calls it a 'reasonably modern business with quite a past'. There has been something at this location for a hundred years, in all kinds of capacities, he continues. 'Years ago it burned down and then the building came back in its current form. They have built it in such a way that maximum occupancy can be used.'
'Everyone is welcome here'
It is indeed a big business, but when you enter it doesn't feel like it. 'It's a nice open location,' says Heida. 'Mondaine, actually. I would love it if guests would now say that they are in a mundane business, then I would be very satisfied. I really prefer to be everyone's friend than exclusive to a select group. Exclusion does not affect Heida either. He does not want to reserve tables on the terrace in the sun. “Come over,” he says. 'I don't want to create a threshold for other people who are just as welcome here. Everyone is welcome here.'
Beer with burger
To become more accessible, you have to dare to change things. 'Starting with the map,' says Heida. 'He had to be kicked anyway. You don't want people to think that you can only eat tournedos here for 35 euros and that at the end of the ride you have to pay 200 euros with the two of you. No, you can also just drink a few beers on the terrace and then eat a tasty hamburger.'
Loose staff
But the staff also had to loosen up. 'We all have young people working here and at one point I said to them: I think you know best which trousers look good on you. Can we just stop with the hotel clothes? Furthermore, it is of course in many more things: how you approach guests, how you answer the phone. Rigid rigidity and exaggerated vousvoying I really don't think is necessary.'
Many different options
At the Rietschans you can not only go for a cup of coffee, drinks, lunch or dinner. It is also the ideal location for a wedding or a funeral. And if you have a meeting, you can also rent rooms for that. Heida notices that the audience is aging considerably and is doing everything possible to attract a young audience. 'Otherwise I won't have a job myself in a few years', he laughs. 'For example, we organize salsa evenings, dinner shows, tango salon. That will take some time, of course, but it will come naturally.'
The pride of the company, its own pastry chef
What Heida is particularly proud of is the homemade cakes and bonbons by their own pastry chef Josephine van Steijn. All cakes sold here come from her kitchen. Even if we have a wedding here, she makes the wedding cake for it. “I think it's so incredibly cool that we have that here. I really think she's a kind of trophy for this company', Heida ends proudly.
You can find De Rietschans at Meerweg 221 in Haren, they are open daily from 11.00 a.m. to 22.00 p.m. More info: The Rietschance