January 23, 2016 · Team HG
Jan Kersaan and Peter Ronner studied geography in the distant past, but after a short career in education and odd jobs at Simplon, they sought a life in the hospitality industry. "A good choice, because who would have thought we would stick it out together for 32 years. Now it is coming to an end. We have brasserie Zomers Sold. Finally, free weekends.’’
Peter Ronner says it with a smile. There are no plans to establish a new hospitality concept elsewhere in the city. "Maybe sometime in something along the lines of consultancy. And Jan is going on a trip. A three-month journey, all by himself."
Ten years ago, the duo opened brasserie Zomers on the Vismarkt. Before that, they were successful operators of lunch café Heerentwist, now Groen, on the corner of Gelkingestraat and Carolieweg. "We introduced the concept of the lunch café back then. At that time, there were restaurants and cafés, but no lunch cafés. A great concept in a shopping street where you mainly had to be open during the day."
Ten years ago, the duo didn't consider a move to the Vismarkt, but property owner Bart Hoogakker Sr. kept insisting. "That put us in a position to make demands as well. We were able to conclude a contract to our liking. Brasserie Zomers was born."
Until three years ago, Zomers' turnover was satisfactory. "We certainly noticed the arrival of new hospitality concepts and shops that also serve coffee and tea. However, we never worried about it. Even though it is a form of unfair competition created by the municipality."
Both gentlemen know, at the very least, that after February 1st they will be able to devote more attention to their partners and children. "Our philosophy of always being present in the workplace has sometimes put our private lives under pressure. We both have working wives who have always continued working in Groningen because of us, even though opportunities lay elsewhere. That occasionally provided material for discussion."
The new owner of the hospitality business is Wim ten Cate. He has considerable experience in the hospitality and travel industries. He was an account manager at Social Affairs and Employment for the Municipality of Groningen and co-owner of the security company. "Last year, I got the itch and wanted to return to the hospitality business. A place like Zomers appealed to me. A beautiful building in a beautiful location. It was a stroke of luck that the business was offered for sale at that moment," says Ten Cate.
He is closing for about a month and a half to give the interior a bit of his own taste and wants to expand the possibilities of the walled terrace at the rear. "Brasserie Zomers has a strong lunch menu. In addition, I want to put dinner more firmly on the map. A bit more intimacy suits me better. The business will also have a new name, but I am not making that public yet."
Source: dvhn.nl
