Clothing stores are closed due to the lockdown, but markets are allowed to continue. “Then I’ll just become a market trader”, thought entrepreneur Joep de Wildt. Within two days he had already arranged it with the municipality. On Thursday he was at the weekly market in Oud Gastel for the first time. “We have to think in terms of what is possible.”
Joep himself comes from Oudenbosch and also has a shop there. “I came to the market and saw that there were clothes racks. So I went to the market master and it turned out that everything can be sold on the market.” So the entrepreneur didn’t think twice and changed course. He applied for a permit in Oud Gastel. His shop is right next to the market.
In a big city like Breda or Eindhoven there may not be room for new stalls, but in a small place like Oud Gastel that turned out to be the case. “The municipality has cooperated very well and ensured that we are allowed to stand here legally.”
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Every Thursday Joep can now display his market stall in the village. “One day a week, then full house”, he says. So early Thursday morning he pitched a tent and drove out all the racks of clothes. Joep, who is also an entrepreneur in addition to being an entrepreneur, was helped by his colleague Andy Marcelissen.
“What a mess!” jokes Marcelissen. Who, now that he’s here, is also trying to sell some books. “I give 24.9% discount, bargain.” Joep also sprinkles with a hefty discount. Everything goes for half the price. “Soon it won’t be of any use to me, then I’ll have to make way for the spring collection.”
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The cord of the ATM was not long enough to reach the square, but Joep came up with a solution. “According to the click-and-collect system, we placed the cash register at the front of the door. They can go there to pay with pin. We’re packing it here in the meantime. Then they come back with the receipt and they can leave our outdoor shop.”
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