Retail Leeuwin’s Serviezenhuis
“We have a heart of porcelain!” Leeuwin’s Serviezenhuis has been bringing high-end tableware to the people of Dutch city Utrecht since 1926. Family-run, this is a business which knows its chosen craft inside out. They live and breathe porcelain – mainly European in origin. Tableware International spoke with general manager Amos van Praagh to learn more about this passionate retail outlet… Tell us about Leeuwin’s Serviezenhuis – how did it begin life? The company started up in 1926 in the city centre of Utrecht by a Mr and Mrs Boutelje. Mrs Boutelje was a cousin of my grandmother Mathilde van Praagh-Huisman. During the second world war the business was “confiscated” and after the war my grandfather Israel van Praagh restarted the business together with my grandmother. With relocations over the years he settled in 1968 at Oudkerkhof 21 in Utrecht, where we still are today. In
1980, my father Gideon van Praagh and my mother Ellen van Praaghvan Aspert took over the business and are still very much involved in the company. Now, the majority of the daily business is run by me and my brother Ruben. The shop has grown bigger over the years, but we have always specialised in products for the welllaid table with high-end brands, mostly European. What is the ethos of the store? At the heart of our collection is sustainability, we try to offer
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sustainable design and quality in our products with a focus on European brands, often with production still in Europe. We carry a wide range of products to inspire and indulge the customer. We do offer seasonal gifts and decoration, but the main focus is high-end dinnerware and cookware that people can use and enjoy for many years to come. Describe your relationship with manufacturers and suppliers? We try to be hands-on with our suppliers. Keep them on point
Rosenthal, Dibbern, Villeroy & Boch and Wedgwood are just some of the brands stocked by Leeuwin’s Serviezenhuis. 22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
Amos van Praagh when it comes to our needs and wishes, but always a harmonious collaboration. We are very loyal to our suppliers and expect the same in return. This is sometimes challenging, and we reward the ones that support us best by giving that brand more attention. Several partners have been with us for many decades. Are there any Dutch tableware companies you are passionate about? De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles/ Royal Delft is a Dutch icon. It is one of the oldest companies in the world, founded in 1653, and still they remain current. Especially developments in the past years with modern interpretations of delftware, they are definitely not a product just for tourists.