adNov 4, 2026, 14:26

100 years of Hema: Amsterdammers share memories of smoked sausage, loose cookies and secret snacking on the job

As the Dutch retail chain Hema celebrates its 100th anniversary, residents of Amsterdam are sharing nostalgic stories about the store's iconic products and their personal history with the brand. Since its founding in 1926, the company has become a cultural staple, with customers reflecting on childhood memories of snacks, toys, and long-lasting household items.

The Dutch retail chain Hema celebrated its centenary on November 4, marking one hundred years since the first store opened on the Kalverstraat in Amsterdam in 1926. To mark the milestone, many residents of Amsterdam shared their nostalgic experiences, highlighting the brand's long-standing role in their daily lives. The stories ranged from childhood memories of selecting loose cookies and buying toys to enjoying the store's iconic smoked sausage with family members. Former employees also contributed, recounting their experiences working in the various departments, including the food and bakery sections. Others recalled the simplicity of past shopping habits, such as purchasing perfume in refillable bottles or the durability of Hema-branded items like wristwatches that have lasted for decades. These personal anecdotes underscore the store's deep integration into the cultural fabric of the city over the past century.

Culture Lifestyle Amsterdam Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Sinterklaas arrival in Amsterdam 2026: what you need to know

Sinterklaas will arrive in Amsterdam on November 15, 2026, via a steamboat parade on the Amstel followed by a city-wide procession ending at Leidseplein. The event will cause significant traffic and public transport changes in the city center, while smaller celebrations take place concurrently in Weesp and Amsterdam-Noord.

150 years of street cleaning: from pocket change in manure to unique garbage trucks

The Amsterdam city cleaning department is celebrating its 150th anniversary after being established in 1877. The milestone commemorates the evolution of the city's waste management from its early origins to the modern sanitation services currently in place.

Amsterdam comedy club Comedy Queens features an all-female lineup: It is quite tough when you are the only woman on the bill

Amsterdam has launched a new comedy venue called Comedy Queens, which exclusively features female performers. Founder Fransje Westermann established the club to provide a supportive environment where women can develop their skills and advance their careers in comedy.

Light show returns to Dam Square on New Year's Eve, 'grim atmosphere has been turned around'

Amsterdam will again host a light and music show on the Dam this New Year's Eve to promote a festive atmosphere, as part of a city-wide effort to create new traditions amid a national ban on consumer fireworks. While the mayor praised the shift toward safer celebrations, she remains focused on managing potential illegal firework activity and resolving community tensions in neighborhoods like Floradorp.

Lomanstraat becomes an even bigger tourist magnet due to social media: "Dozens of people every day"

The Lomanstraat in Amsterdam has become a major tourist attraction due to its unique crooked plane trees, which have gained fame on social media. While dozens of visitors arrive daily to photograph the trees, local residents report that the increased foot traffic does not cause them significant nuisance.