Gretel Hooghoudt-Farmer: A successful 'carpenter'
Last Friday it was announced that Grietje, 1st generation Hooghoudt, is added to the register of Groningen top women. She owes this to her unbridled commitment to the family business.
In 2018 we see many young men and women setting up their own microbreweries and drink brands, and that was no different in 1888. Hero Jan Hooghoudt was a baker until that moment, but he and his wife Grietje got the bright idea to do what they liked even more: making drinks. Together they went on a wonderful voyage of discovery full of flavours, smells and colours, with which they would later even win prizes. In 1920, Grietje distilled her first jenever, with the beautiful Old Dutch name Oude Klare.
When Hero Jan Hooghoudt dies of pneumonia, Grietje continues independently. She is constantly looking for ways to expand the business. She visited all kinds of fairs and exhibitions to create more brand awareness. Because of all the successes she achieved, she had to move to larger buildings or renovate buildings several times. She did this so often that she was nicknamed 'the Carpenter'.
Read the whole story at: The stories of Groningen
