Dutch Store owner Anita Van Plateringen poses for a photo inside her shop with her hands full of Dutch goodies and a wheel of imported Gouda Cheese from Holland.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Local businesses and stores offer perfect last-minute gift ideas and stalking stuffers to help you finish your Christmas shopping this season.
Tasty holiday treats and unique gift ideas can be found in The Dutch Store’s new location at 664 Kingsway Ave.
Two weeks ago The Dutch Store moved to its Kingsway location, offering more customer parking and room for inventory.
Owner Anita Van Plateringen says there is a large Dutch population in Medicine Hat and its surrounding communities.
“So they come here for a little piece of home,” says Van Plateringen.
From Kruidnoten (shortbread nuts) to Oliebollen (doughnut holes) The Dutch Store carries holiday treats from the Netherlands that can only be found at this time of year.
Van Plateringen explains children in the Netherlands usually receive a chocolate gift or other treats like molasses cookies on Dec. 5.
That’s when kids will sing a song to Sinterklaas in front of their chimney and leave out a present for his horse.
“Sinterklaas has a horse and Santa Claus has a sleigh with reindeer. Santa Claus is a little fat guy, Sinterklass is a slim guy because he doesn’t go to the chimneys himself,” says Van Plateringen.
The store has a wide variety of chocolate treats and candies for the sweet tooth on your holiday list.
“That’s why Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world, we get chocolate for breakfast,” jokes Van Plateringen.
Van Plateringen says the Dutch are known for their liquorice – and not just the salty kind.
“Lots of people always think that’s only salty. No, it’s salty. It’s sweet. It is honey flavoured,” says Van Plateringen.
The speciality grocery store sources its Dutch goodies from suppliers in Calgary and Lethbridge, and one of the most popular items for sale is the real Gouda cheese imported from Holland.
The Dutch Store also carries a variety of vegetables, soups and fresh peanut butter.
“It’s way better than the Canadian part, and it’s made with actual peanuts, no sugar,” says Van Plateringen.
The Dutch Store will be open this Saturday and Sunday before Christmas.
