Fourteen years. That's how long it's been since coffeeshop Malabata closed its doors on Utrecht's Amsterdamsestraatweg. The shop was shut down in 2012 by the city's former mayor, Aleid Wolfsen. Fast-forward to 2026, and the old coffeeshop sign is reportedly still hanging outside. The business is gone. The branding clearly didn't get the memo.
According to local news outlet DUIC, six political parties have now raised questions about the building and the wider problem of vacant commercial properties along the street. They want to know what the city plans to do about long-term empty units and whether recent graffiti removal at the former Malabata site signals possible renovation or redevelopment.
For international visitors, it's a small but fascinating piece of Dutch coffeeshop history. Not every familiar-looking coffeeshop sign leads to an operating business. In Malabata's case, there's no confirmed plan to reopen the shop. The current discussion is about the future of the property. But after fourteen years, you'd think someone might have updated the sign by now.