De Salamander: more than a drugstore, a historical experience!
Welcome to Delft's hidden gem: drugstore De Salamander, a shop where history and passion come together! Housed in the iconic building at Markt 47, this special drugstore breathes the stories of over 250 years. Here, where time seems to stand still, secrets are kept that are known to only a few.
Today, I'm talking to Robert, the chemist, who takes us on a journey through the rich history of Delft's oldest shop - and even the oldest chemist in all of the Netherlands! From personal attention and tailor-made recipes to a wealth of supplements, homeopathy and nostalgic Old Dutch sweets, the Salamander offers a unique experience for anyone looking for quality and service. Let's quickly discover what makes this special place so special!
When we step over the deeply eroded threshold into your shop, what unique experiences and discoveries can we expect? Can you tell us more about the atmosphere, the products and what makes the shop so special?
"What a fun question! De Salamander has a rich history dating back to 1782, when an Amsterdam druggist saw a golden opportunity to start a "Chemyst winckel" on the Markt in Delft; an artisan business that sold raw materials as well as made products. Our product range has grown richer and richer over that two-and-a-half centuries and is enormously versatile; from problem-solving products such as effective shampoos to atmospheric dipping candles, carefully crafted by one of the last craftsmen.
What makes us really special? We have been selling the "opregte Haarlemmer Olie" since the opening of this shop in 1782, a probative remedy for many complaints ranging from rheumatism to school sickness. From 1792, Eau de Cologne joined our range, more than just a nice fragrance, indispensable in an era of corsets and wigs and still wonderfully refreshing in many new varieties. Our shop breathes history, the wooden cabinets are almost 100 years old and the more than 100 drawers are full of surprises.
This shop is an enchanting place full of myths and magic! Did you know that salamanders used to often hide in wood piles near houses? Then, if you threw a log into the open, a salamander could pop out! Thus, this mystical animal became a symbol of resurrection from fire and alchemy - as if Harry Potter himself was walking down the door.
Our shop has a treasure trove of spices and secrets. In the past, people even invented magic potions to make someone fall in love with you, and always people were looking for methods to live longer or even forever. In short, at the Salamander you won't just find products, but stories. That makes us a special place in Delft!"
What is an unforgettable experience you have had with a customer, and what made that encounter so special to you?
"Oh, there are a lot of them, you know. I remembered this one recently; a classmate's mother came into the shop years ago and told me that as a young girl, she used to go shopping here with her mother and then she would always get liquorice. Once, my grandfather had forgotten the liquorice and when he realised it, he had run after them with the liquorice. This is of course how I also experience customers' children growing up, the one who now helps us with modern things like webshop, marketing, a faster laptop and a better phone, remembers well how I used to give him some blueberry pastilles as a kid."
Your shop must attract a lot of international customers, is it true that you speak several languages?
"Yes that's right! My mother came from England, so I speak that very well. I also learnt French and German at school and that improved through holidays. Furthermore, I took Spanish lessons so I can get by with that too. Moreover, it is great fun to greet customers from distant countries with a few words in their own language. Thanks: "mam nuun" for customers from Iran and "shukran" for Arab customers is always much appreciated! Now I can also explain to someone from China what liquorice is: Gancao. The pronunciation is trickier, though."
With everything changing so fast, what does the future of this shop look like?
“Oh, the future looks bright! We’re now one of the last independent chemists in Delft, and a shop like this does have a different character to the big national chains. Particularly when it comes to the rather special products, the expert knowledge, the attention to the customer and, of course, the overall experience, this shop is now so unique that it’s simply a pleasure to come here and work.”
If you could share one quote that should really convince people not to miss this little shop, what would it be?
"De Salamander is much more than just another shop; the continuity of knowledge and character, the smell, the taste together make a unique atmosphere. What we offer are not just fun products, but sensible solutions to everyday problems. We are there to make the little inconveniences in life a little more bearable and to enhance the atmosphere in your home, and that on the most beautiful square in the historic centre of Delft.
We are there for our customers in happy, exciting or sad times. From baby emergence to exams and in times of illness and loss, not always to sell a product but also to share a story.
What makes our shop special is that you take a piece of nostalgia with you here. You get sucked back in time, as if you want to escape for a moment from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And that is exactly what we want to offer: a unique experience you won't find anywhere else. At the Salamander, we try to create a warm, inviting environment where we can make a difference for our customers."