Eighteen years is a long time to wait for a shop to open. You could start a band, release several albums and break up twice in that time. In Almere Buiten, the new coffeeshop The Boxx announced October 15 as its opening date. The plans date back to 2008, according to regional broadcaster Omroep Flevoland. This was never going to be a quick little renovation project.
The shop is located at Evenaar 121. Its concept includes an information counter and staff who can explain the products on offer. The business now lists daily opening hours on its website. But the arrival hasn't been universally welcomed. Some neighbours raised concerns about possible nuisance, and a consultation group was set up involving local residents, businesses, police and city authorities.
For visitors exploring the Dutch coffeeshop scene beyond Amsterdam, Almere now has another address to look into. The Boxx may be new as a business, but its backstory is anything but new. After so many years of planning, the question moves from whether the shop can open to how it works in everyday life.
