Museumwinkel Albert Heijn (Albert Heijn Museum Shop), Zaandam
The Albert Heijn Museum Shop offers visitors a captivating journey back in time to the origins of a grocery store that has become an iconic part of Dutch culture. The museum shop is a faithful reconstruction of the very first Albert Heijn store, which originally opened its doors in Oostzaan in 1887.
Located within a centuries-old wooden building from the Zaan region, the museum's primary goal is to preserve and showcase the historical heritage of this beloved grocery brand. The meticulously reconstructed store, opened on May 23, 1967, serves as a tribute to the store's roots, as the original Oostzaan location no longer exists. Spanning 36 square meters, the museum shop is slightly larger than its historical counterpart and stands at a height of 2.80 meters. The attention to detail in recreating this historic grocery store is evident in every aspect, offering a genuine glimpse into the past.
Adjacent to the shop, a building dating back to 1750 provides insight into the living conditions of the store manager during that era. This construction closely mirrors the setup of the original store, where Albert Heijn and his family resided in similar compact living quarters behind the shop.
Today, the Albert Heijn Museum Shop is open to the public free of charge, welcoming between 125,000 and 150,000 visitors each year. The dedicated team of volunteers has grown from two to ten, and the shop's opening hours have been significantly extended to accommodate the growing interest in this historical gem.
While entrance fees are no longer charged, the shop generates revenue through the sale of select groceries, old Dutch candies, posters, and DVDs. This unique museum not only preserves the heritage of a beloved Dutch institution but also provides an educational and nostalgic experience for visitors from all walks of life.
Located within a centuries-old wooden building from the Zaan region, the museum's primary goal is to preserve and showcase the historical heritage of this beloved grocery brand. The meticulously reconstructed store, opened on May 23, 1967, serves as a tribute to the store's roots, as the original Oostzaan location no longer exists. Spanning 36 square meters, the museum shop is slightly larger than its historical counterpart and stands at a height of 2.80 meters. The attention to detail in recreating this historic grocery store is evident in every aspect, offering a genuine glimpse into the past.
Adjacent to the shop, a building dating back to 1750 provides insight into the living conditions of the store manager during that era. This construction closely mirrors the setup of the original store, where Albert Heijn and his family resided in similar compact living quarters behind the shop.
Today, the Albert Heijn Museum Shop is open to the public free of charge, welcoming between 125,000 and 150,000 visitors each year. The dedicated team of volunteers has grown from two to ten, and the shop's opening hours have been significantly extended to accommodate the growing interest in this historical gem.
While entrance fees are no longer charged, the shop generates revenue through the sale of select groceries, old Dutch candies, posters, and DVDs. This unique museum not only preserves the heritage of a beloved Dutch institution but also provides an educational and nostalgic experience for visitors from all walks of life.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zaandam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Museumwinkel Albert Heijn (Albert Heijn Museum Shop) on Map
Sight Name: Museumwinkel Albert Heijn (Albert Heijn Museum Shop)
Sight Location: Zaandam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Zaandam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zaandam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Zaandam)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Zaandam, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Zaandam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Zaandam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Windmills Village Walk
Windmills Village, or Zaanse Schans, as it's known locally, is a truly unique place in the Netherlands. In this quaint location, packed to the brim with postcard-perfect wooden houses, windmills, and barns, one can easily experience what life was like in the country back in the 1850s.
Among the village's top highlights is the Museum of the Dutch Clock. Home to a stunning collection of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Among the village's top highlights is the Museum of the Dutch Clock. Home to a stunning collection of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Zaandam Introduction Walking Tour
Although historically significant as such, Zaandam, a charming old town on the banks of the Zaan River in the northwestern part of the Netherlands, does not have the same level of worldwide recognition as some larger cities. Despite its close proximity to Amsterdam, Zaandam has a plethora of tourist attractions of its own, readily available for those who seek them.
The name "Zaandam"... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The name "Zaandam"... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles