The story of: Roland van Tilborg – Local guide

Roland van Tilborg has been running his renewed Wegwijs Lokaal since July 2021 and part of his dream has come true. He started in a room of the former town hall on the historic Markt in Sint-Maartensdijk. UWV and the Municipality of Tholen have helped him to build a new future based on a reintegration process. That has worked out well so far. This shop is unique in several respects and specializes in (Zeeland) regional products, craft items and tourist information. Sustainability is an important pillar in business operations.  

I grew up in and with retail. My parents had a supermarket and they passed that virus on to me. I actually wanted to be a forest ranger, but retail won. I am a people person and I really enjoy it when people leave the store satisfied.” In addition to being a shop, the Wegwijs Lokaal is also a meeting place. The cozy living room-like atmosphere makes it pleasant to drink a cup of tea, coffee or a soft drink. In the (short) term, the intention is to set up even more activities for young and old. Work is underway on a relaxed terrace at the rear of the store. At the moment I run the shop alone and there is room to offer people a temporary, safe and fun reintegration or internship place.

Sustainable, socially responsible, close by and fun

In the Wegwijs Lokaal you can buy beautiful, fun, original and tasty items for young and old. For example, we sell products from Molen de Jager from Oud-Vossemeer, various Zeeland beers and wines and Sister Evie local delicacies. Our added value is a personal approach, customer-friendly and service-oriented. By buying or selling regional products, the ecological footprint reduced. For example, by selling Happy Soaps, Marcels Green Soaps and chocolate products from a fair trade. And recently we also sell pet food and supplies, filling a gap in the local market. At the moment it is still a basic range, but that will probably be expanded. We are also happy to make a nice gift package, from a single package to large numbers. For individuals and companies, from standard to custom work. All year round. And of course it is possible to buy part of our range via our website. To pick up or have it shipped, according to Roland.

Thools Information Point

Wegwijs Lokaal is for visitors to Sint-Maartensdijk and the entire municipality of Tholen. There is a wide range of tourist information available. Of course the walking and cycling route network map, but also information from and about all kinds of other Thool tourist companies and activities. This is made possible in part by good cooperation with the municipality of Tholen and the Tholen Better Known Foundation. It is not for nothing that Wegwijs Lokaal is one of the six Thoolse Information Points. In addition, at Wegwijs Lokaal it is also possible to hold (private) meetings, give workshops or to work flexibly.

Future wishes for the Thool retail sector  

If we want to maintain the quality of life in the cores, it is important to (continue to) support local entrepreneurs in all reasonableness, says Roland. A sturdy, beautiful and good store stock is an important component of quality of life. Together with other facilities such as schools, good accessibility and medical care, it forms the basis of a liveable society. As entrepreneurs and business associations, we can also make a direct contribution to this. Good cooperation between entrepreneurs and various associations is crucial for the longer term. Let's look together where and how we can work together. After all, together we are strong!

Open from Wednesday to Saturday.