A wonderful paradox: ‘Heilige Boontjes’, a coffee bar located in an old police station. ‘Heilige Boontjes’ is Dutch for Holier Than Thou.
By using a cool product as coffee, this project gives Youth at Risk a second chance.
They learn to roast coffee, be in sales or become a barista, gain work experience and some get lucky with a job. As they are all very professional, you won’t be able to tell who is more Holier than Thou.
What I like is the no-nonsense cosy ambiance and their prices are great, considering their location downtown.
On the ground floor, where we used to report cases, is now a long counter for ordering sandwiches, cakes, cookies and coffee in any style you fancy. All eat/drink in or to-go.
There are different seating areas and a large reading table to host all sorts of people of all ages. Some come for lunch, to work (free wifi) and others for a business meeting. The small terrace is great for people-watching
To me, it’s a perfect place to meet up with friends, as Heilige Boontjes is centrally located (metrostation-Eendrachtsplein) on the way to the Museum Quarter.
Heilige Boontjes Arabica Coffee is made of fairtrade coffee beans, all roasted in Rotterdam. They sell their coffee beans and wash your hands in ignorance with their ‘handen wassen in onschuld’ soap in a bottle.
The first Heilige Boontjes Coffee bar in town is also located at a square. Burgemeester Meineszplein 19 (take bus 40 from Central Station to Beukelsdijk)
