After seventeen years of loyal service, Ome Ko's neon letters make room for a new name on the facade: De Brouwerij. The dark brown cafe in the Poelestraat in Groningen is renovating to a more spacious, robust yet warm and cozy cafe. Owner Jan Hoeve talks about his motivation behind the change.
It has already been carefully brought to the attention via Facebook and perhaps some Ome Ko visitors have already noticed, but the cafe will soon continue under a new name. The café, which has been located in the Poelestraat since 1999, goes back to its roots as a city brewery and puts on a new jacket.
Changes
Old traditional yet industrial, as owner Jan Hoeve himself says, referring to elements such as copper beer pipes on the ceiling, vintage murals, an old-fashioned brew kettle and lamps from former factory halls and Polish bunkers. The cafe has a completely new look inside. “But we remain a brown café,” says Hoeve, “that is why we also want to continue to focus on the cozy and warm elements.” Aspects such as the dark wood and the atmospheric candles will remain.
The house style is also moving in a new direction with a sleek yet warm appearance, which is even incorporated into the glassware. The brewery elements can be recognized everywhere; male guests can express their needs in specially designed urinals made of beer kegs.
Government and study
The reason behind these adjustments stems from the changes in the way of going out, the public and therefore a different demand for night catering, says Hoeve. “Groningen used to be known as the city where you could go out seven nights a week, now there are two, at most three.”
The owner suspects that the changes are due to study-related measures and government decisions. Firstly, the age limit for drinking alcohol has been raised. Secondly, the smoking policy has had an influence and, in addition, the study pressure has increased in connection with the student loan system. This leaves the student with the idea that there is less time and money to spend on going out.
Uncle Ko was known, among other things, for the broadness of its audience, but this diversity has been declining more and more in recent years, making it smart to respond to this. Without changing the business operations too much, Hoeve wants to continue to offer quality and service at a good price. “We also go further with the things that are going well. It continues to drink good beers here, only now in a different setting.”
students
Ome Ko has a large following among the study associations, just like the café next door, which Hoeve also owns, the Ninth Circle† The owner says that according to him association life is becoming increasingly important and that is why he does his best for these groups. The intended changes were discussed with them and received positively. Students have busy lives and therefore want quality at a competitive price. That is why the popular offers such as Happy Hours and jugs are being continued with optimism in De Brouwerij.
