Attention Stone - Shoe Factory Van Haren

The working group 'Waalwijk: 100 years together', together with the local history circles, collected information and photographs for 24 attention stones in the municipality of Waalwijk. The selected objects in Baardwijk (4), Besoijen (4) and Waalwijk (9) played an important role at the time of the redivision (1922). The stones are linked to this website through a QR code, where more information about each stone can be found. The stones are part of a bicycle and walking route, called 'On the road in the historic Langstraat'.

Shoe factory Van Haren (1906-2015)

In 1906, shoemaker C.W. de Vries-van de Grind built a residence with shoe factory here. The front four bays with shed roofs date from this time. Around 1910, people started wearing more shoes and fewer clogs. In mid 1913 Johan van Haren (clog manufacturer in Beneden Leeuwen) sent his sons to investigate the possibilities of producing shoes at the most favorable location. Thus, on a Sunday in 1913, his three sons bicycled towards Waalwijk, arriving in Baardwijk and resting in café 'De Stoep'. The innkeeper was told that they were looking for the opportunity to start a shoe factory, and that a shoe factory was for sale across the street. In 1913, 61-year-old Johan van Haren bought this shoe factory. The whole family went to Baardwijk, where father and his sons Kees, Ivo and Johan started making shoes.

Leather trade
In 1914 World War I began, Kees and Ivo were called up for general mobilization, and brother Johan had to manage the factory - Firma J. van Haren - as best he could. After the war, Kees and Ivo returned to the company. However, there was not enough work for Ivo and he started his own leather business in Baardwijk in 1920. Business flourished from the start and he enjoyed great success as a leather merchant. In 1924, his leather business moved to a large building on the Markt, corner of Stationsstraat in Waalwijk, with the words 'Import Ivo van Haren Leder Engros Export' on the façade. In mid-1929, Ivo's brothers suggested to him that he return to the firm. In October 1929, father's company was converted into 'Ivo van Haren's Schoenfabrieken N.V.'. In order to meet the high demand for the entire range of women's, men's and children's shoes, production also began in the factory of Jac. Oomens (Ivo's father-in-law). A new factory with offices was built in 1931. Designed by architectural firm Van Ree Bossaerts.

Former canteen
The stained glass windows, crafted by glazier Louis de Swart, depict the production process, from cattle as suppliers of leather to selling shoes as the final product. The main window expresses "Prosperity through Labor. This main window is flanked by two windows whose motifs are 'Control of machinery' and 'Man and technology'. Windows 2 and 6 depict 'Commerce' and 'Administration' respectively, windows 1 and 7 depict 'Tanneries' and 'Own Building Company'. Above and below the windows bear the arms of the eleven provinces, the main window is crowned by the coat of arms of Waalwijk. In 1985, 'Deichmann Schuhe' took over the family business.