June 23, 2018 · Menno Hoexum
DOne called him a phenomenon, another a legend. But everyone agreed: John Makken was a more than remarkable figure. With his snow-white and always well-groomed hair, he was a familiar face in the city center of Groningen, and in the Poelestraat in particular. Two weeks ago, John Makken passed away at the age of 86. Last week, a memorial service was held at the Groningen crematorium for this distinctive hospitality professional, who was praised for his deep dedication to his staff and never uttered a harsh word.
The large auditorium of the crematorium filled up to commemorate this remarkable man and to support the family in processing the grief following his passing. His wife Gré, whom John Makken married 63 years ago, both daughters José and Anita, and the grandchildren were present. A sea of predominantly pure white flowers formed the backdrop around the equally pure white coffin. The family had asked city journalist and presenter Piet van Dijken and FC Groningen director Hans Nijland to speak; the funeral director read a text that daughter Anita had written to her father the day after his passing. Between the speakers, music by The Eagles, Frank Sinatra, Corrie Konings, and James Last played.
Piet van Dijken examined the life of John Makken in his own unique way. A life that John shared from his early years with his great love, Gré. It was not John's intention as a twenty-something to enter the hospitality industry. He worked as a welder in shipbuilding and later went to work for his father-in-law, who ran a plumbing business in the city. Together, they applied the copper work to the tower of the Academy Building and later the same precious metal to the roof of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
A job at the premises at Poelestraat 31 was effectively the beginning of the hospitality career of the still-young couple. In 1968, John Makken bought the building together with Hennie Roggen and, in his limited free time, turned it into a discotheque that would gain great fame in the city and surrounding area under the name The Jolly Joker. Those first years did not yet bring great success, but suddenly the nightlife crowd discovered this new spot and lined up outside to get in. One of the disc jockeys of that time was Piet van Dijken.
It didn't stop with The Jolly Joker. Further down the street, they opened the Poeldwinger and Le Bluet, a chic nightclub with plenty of live music. Ronnie Tober, the Singer Without a Name, Anita Meijer, Corrie Konings, Ben Kramer, Rita Hovink, Ciska Peters, and The Blue Diamonds were among the regular artists who gladly came to Groningen to perform for John and Gré and their many guests. The name Bluet disappeared from the facade years ago and was replaced by Bar Players, where daughter Anita has been in charge since 1994.
The Dutch-language repertoire introduces Bar Players still dominates, and FC Groningen director Hans Nijland is a big fan of it. And he is not the only one, as staff members and players of the football club enjoy coming to Poelestraat after a match, whether won or lost, to have a beer. John and Gré would therefore settle down at the bar and gladly let their daughter Anita serve them. Nijland also praised John and Gré for their unwavering support, including financial support, for the local football club. When John and Gré were not working, they would take one of their many trips abroad, with a special preference for Benidorm.
Eventually, The Jolly Joker lost its popularity and the word Lava appeared on the facade. John Makken didn't like it at all and built a small pub in the basement of the building with the fitting name De Kleine Joker. In 1999, the sale of the business marked the end of active life in the hospitality industry. After the memorial service at the crematorium, the group headed to Gusto Wine & Bar to celebrate the life of John Makken in a fitting manner. It is no coincidence that Gusto was chosen for this. In this building at number 31, John Makken's hospitality career began nearly half a century ago.
Hans Nijland during his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Here, the director of FC Groningen, together with his walking coach and neighbor Manon, lit a candle in a small church in Arzua for the late Groningen hospitality entrepreneur John Makken.
