The story of: Anja Polak – Lace Border

In the beautiful fortified town of Tholen, there is of course an authentic textile and handicraft shop where people are only too happy to go. You can get and do everything here in the field of clothing repair, fabrics, sewing with all kinds of related items. A girl's dream has come true for Anja and she still enjoys it every day.

As a girl, Anja loved to visit her Aunt Saar's shop in the Stoofstraat. “There were all kinds of fabrics and a dry cleaner. I loved helping out and serving customers. Then I thought how nice it would be to have such a shop myself.”

Hobby

For years Anja worked at Astrids Kleermakerij in the Dalemsestraat. She helped the customers and devoted herself to clothing repair. In 2011, the owner indicated that he wanted to stop. Anja was only too happy to start her own business and that opportunity came when the Foto Tholen property came up for sale in Eendrachtsweg. She bought the property together with Pompelmoentje. Pompelmoentje came to the right of the building and Anja with Kantje Boord on the left. On February 1, she received the key and had to work almost day and night to get the building in order, but it worked out wonderfully and the opening was on March 1. ,,It's actually a hobby that got out of hand and I get a lot of joy when people come to me with their clothes to see if something can still be made of it. If they then leave later with a smile, I am really satisfied.”

Region

In Kantje Boord not only everything is sold, but also sewing lessons are given. ,,That is always very pleasant and I have someone employed for that. This also applies to large assignments that are done by a seamstress. After all, I can't do everything myself." Anja thinks that people with an interest can definitely come to her shop. ,,Ordering on the internet is of course also possible, but here you can feel it for yourself, take a better look and especially absorb the colors. It's much better here than on screen and it's always a lot of fun here. It is buzzing with social contacts and people really don't just talk about clothes and fabrics.” Its customers come from all over the island of Tholen and Sint-Philipsland, but also from the region of Steenbergen, Halsteren and Bergen op Zoom. “It took a while, but now our name is well known there.”

craft cafe

In the summer, tourists also come to visit, especially Belgians, and then you hear all too often: ,,How nice, we used to have that too. The entire interior was renovated last year and the Handwerkcafé will start again after the spring break. ,,That is in odd weeks on Thursday afternoons from 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm in De Thoolse Brug. Everyone is welcome there with a cup of coffee.” Anja is already enjoying it in advance. Dreams become reality.