In the historic Verkade factory complex on the Westzijde in Zaandam, biscuits were once baked and chocolate bars made. Now it is a bustling meeting place on the Zaan: the Zaanse Chocolate Factory.

Sjakie en de chocoladefabriek' adventure

For me, the story of Sjakie en de Chocoladefabriek is one of the very best children's stories ever. I was twelve years old when I experienced my own unforgettable chocolate factory adventure in 1986. Together with my father. We didn't need a golden ticket for that. Verkade was 100 years old at the time and opened the gates of the chocolate factory on the Zaan to mark the anniversary. The factory was still in full operation and it was very unique, such a look behind the scenes. The best part? We got to snack on broken chocolate bars! My mother remembers it like yesterday "how nauseous you were then!". It is my fondest memory of the old Verkade Factory.

Verkade: going back in time

It all started in 1886. Eric Verkade built bread and rusk factory "de Ruyter" with his two sons. He did so on the spot where mill "de Ruyter" once stood, the first flour mill in West Zaandam. Bread, rusk, gingerbread and Langetjes (those delicious crispy biscuits with cinnamon sugar!) were the first products of the bread factory. Later, tea lights, biscuits and chocolate were added. The factory expanded considerably between 1886 and 1969 to become the Verkade factory we know today. Since 2001, this unique piece of Zaans heritage has been a national monument. Nice to know: the "horseman" of "de Ruyter" can still be seen in the Verkade logo.

The Zaans Chocolate Factory today

The factory complex became vacant in 2003 and was beautifully restored between 2004 and 2009 into a multifunctional collective building: The Zaanse Chocolate Factory. This jewel on the Zaan is now open to everyone and houses cultural and creative Zaan institutions. Such as Stichting Fluxus, the Zaan centre for the arts. Here you can attend courses in music, visual arts, media, theatre and dance. At The Baking Institute on the ground floor, you can follow training and courses on bread and pastry as a professional or a home baker.

On the first floor, with fantastic views over the Zaan, you will find the main branch of De Bieb voor de Zaanstreek. The library in Zaandam is a very nice place for anyone who wants to read, study or work quietly and free of charge. In the reading café, the Wifi and the beautiful view of the Zaan are free. And did you know that the head office of games maker Jumbo is also located in the old Verkadefabriek?

De VersKade

De VersKade on the ground floor is all about good food and drink, with love and attention to quality. At KISS Bakery, you'll find oven-fresh bread and the tastiest croissants and cakes. Father and son van 't Oever's butcher's shop really understands good food. You will find delicious artisanal meat products and sandwiches for the road. Want a wine to go with it? Shop for one at Terravin. At the place where I used to snack on chunks of chocolate, I now drink coffee at De Koffiezaak. So De VersKade - open from Tuesday to Sunday - is also a very nice meeting place for coffee, tea or a nice lunch.