Tour of Kaatsheuvel - at Industrial monument Meester Schoenmaker

This location is part of the "Bike & LEDER Route West. Watch the videos here!

Kees Grootswagers, member of Heemkundekring De Ketsheuvel, takes us through the past of the leather industry in Kaatsheuvel. The village that knew many hundreds of small cottage factories. To tan leather they used the run from the bark of the oak trees. This run was ground in the mill De Couwenbergh. In the center you will find Meester Schoenmaker Jan van der Velde. He has been in the business for 43 years and sees how the leather shoe is being replaced by the vegan shoe made of bamboo. Jan's store (see also www.schoenmakerijkaatsheuvel.nl) can be found opposite the statue of the proud shoemaker, at 93 Main Street. The old Stocko shoe factory on Rechtvaart is still the only preserved factory of this size in the village. It closed in 1970 but is still owned by the Stokkermans family.