Discover the 130-year-old story of Holzhaus
1885
Woodhouse de Mof
Ferdinand Holzhaus, a German immigrant, went around the Jordaan from 1885 onwards, selling work and underwear from his handcart. His warehouse "Kleding magazijn Koningin Wilhelmina" located on the Haarlemmerdijk, got his nickname: The Mof. This shop still exists under the same name, and is still focused on work clothes. In connection with this sensitive term in the time of the wars, the logo of a hand-muff was hung here.
1932
Ferd. Holzhaus jr. to Haarlem
One of the founder's sons: Ferdinand Holzhaus jr. (he was called Ferry at the time) started his own business in the Generaal Cronjéstraat in Haarlem in 1932. This business was therefore called 'Ferd. Holzhaus'. At that time, the store, just like the one on the Haarlemmerdijk, was completely focused on work clothing. Think of overalls, work jackets, work trousers and work shoes. When jeans came to the Netherlands from America, they were originally work trousers and they ended up in these kinds of stores.
1958
The growth in the time of Wout Kroon
Ferdinand himself transferred the shop to Wout Kroon (at that time the store manager). Wout also had a children's clothing store in the Cronjéstraat for many years, also under the name Ferd. Holzhaus.
Under Wout's leadership, the store has expanded and grown. Slowly, the store has transformed over the years from workwear to casual wear. Just like jeans did. It was also during this time that jeans became an increasingly larger part of the assortment. This is why we have become a 'blue store', specialized in jeans.
1988
The current generation
The denim specialty store 'Holzhaus' as we know it today has been owned by Marko Holt for more than 30 years, and later also by his wife Yvonne.
The store has changed a lot over the years, but the history that the store carries with it can be found everywhere in the store itself. We still attach great importance to providing good service, and just like in the old days, we still tailor your pants for free and everyone gets a cup of coffee.
Marko has done a lot together with Wout to keep the store renewed, and to make sure that there were always good men's and jeans collections. During a period of 19 years, Marko also had a second Holzhaus in the Schalkwijk shopping center.
Since Yvonne joined, the women's department has also been expanded. and since then Marko and Yvonne have changed the store into the 'Multibrand Boutique' as we know it today. Where the blue wall (jeans wall) is still our strength, but where we also focus on offering a diversity of nice collection brands for women and men.
2024
The future as a family business
The next generation (Marko & Yvonne's daughter) is in the company and will take over the store. The store will continue to innovate, just like we do now, and the strength we are known for will remain!
At the moment she works hard together with her parents and the team to be there for you every day, and they are extremely grateful that they can do this together!
In the short term you will see changes in the store because we are going to renovate/renew the store itself and place several Shop-in-Shops in the store. Sustainability is also an important part of the future perspective. One of our goals is to officially become a Royal Warrant Holder in 2032 (when a company exists for 100 years). In short, stay tuned!
