Those who enjoy shopping at the downtown shop, Dutch Treats, have limited time to do so, as business owners Rob and Tina Bots prepare to close up shop before moving to Ottawa to be closer to family.
It's bittersweet for the couple, who have owned and operated the business since 2016, and are the fifth owners in the shop's 68-year history.
The couple purchased the shop from former owners, Louise and Cor Den Bleker. Rob had been working for the Den Bleker's business as a bookkeeper when he first moved to Canada from the Netherlands 11 years ago. Rob came to Bradford after meeting Tina online and falling in love. The couple ended up getting married and buying the business together.
Tina is originally from the Ottawa area and has always dreamed of moving back home to be closer to her family. She has lived in Bradford for the past 24 years, raising her three children, and running the store with Rob.
Now that her kids are all grown up, and moved out of the house, the couple figured it was the perfect opportunity to sell the business and start the next chapter of their lives while being closer to aging family members.
"It's mixed emotions," said Tina about the decision to leave Bradford and the business. "It's an adventure and gives me time to spend more time with my mom, my brother, my aunts."
The couple doesn't have an official store closing date, and are still on the house hunt, but are hoping to be moved by summer.
"It's all up in the air," said Rob.
"It's scary and exciting," added Tina.
When asked what they will miss the most about running the store, they agreed, the customers. The store is unique and brings in customers not only from Bradford but from Aurora, Richmond Hill and some even as far as Sault Ste. Marie.
"We'll miss the interaction with a lot of the customers," said Tina. "And some of the suppliers that we have built relationships with."
The couple hopes the new owners of the business will keep the shop as a Dutch store, given its long-standing history with the town.
"For this kind of business, I would think you would buy it to run it," said Tina. "Just a turn-key business."
The store first opened in 1954, providing a taste of home for the Dutch settlers who had immigrated into Bradford and The Holland Marsh. They sell a variety of Dutch items like windmill cookies, salted black licorice and chocolate sprinkles, soups, and cheeses.
At the back of the store is a cheese shop, with various imported cheeses, including Gouda cheese from Holland. They also have small gifts and souvenirs, like clogs and t-shirts, set up around the store and available for purchase.
Dutch Treats is located at 15 Holland St. E in downtown Bradford.
