About The Dutch Shop

Decades ago, when immigrants from all over the world came to Canada by the boatload, Dutch immigrants created a market for their familiar things.  They found everything here strange, and although they were willing and able to learn, it was hard for them to find products that they were used to, especially when it came to food.  Most products were just not readily available.  To the many Dutch-Canadian housewives in the area, the Dutch peddler going from door to door was a real blessing! 

During the early fifties these Dutchmen, real entrepreneurs, played a big role in supplying the Dutch community with products they knew and liked.  In October 1951 Bert Vlaanderen came to Canada and after working different jobs for a few years became one of these entrepreneurs as he built up Dutch grocery routes in the Woodstock and Cambridge areas.  Taking the advice of one of his suppliers, Bert decided to open a store in Burlington.  Burlington proved to be a good choice; and an ever-growing number of Dutch-Canadians have made The Dutch Shop their favourite place to shop.  Bert along with his wife Anita opened the store on July 7th 1957 on New Street.  In 1964 the store settled at its current location in Roseland Plaza on the corner of New Street and Guelph Line.

In 1984 Bert decided it was time to retire. Eager to take over was his son Brian who had worked in the store ever since he was 12 years old, first part time and then full time. That way Brian had learned the business from the ground up. Under Brian’s ownership The Dutch Shop has continued to grow and prosper.  In 1993 Brian began importing his own groceries from the Netherlands, leading to a greater variety in products as the years have gone by.  In the same entrepreneurial spirit as his father, Brian opened an in-store European bakery in 1995.