The history of
Grand Café De Zwaan
Where the story of
The Swan begins
This is the story of a place in beautiful Brabant where people have been coming together for generations. In the middle of the square, next to the Servatius church, De Zwaan has become a trusted place for villagers, associations and passers-by.
Over the years, the café's appearance changed, but its essence remained the same: hospitality, meeting, and a place where you feel welcome.
On this page, we'll take you back in time, with stories and photos, ending with an overview of former owners and proprietors who have shaped De Zwaan.
"Because if you want to move forward, you need to know where you came from."
The oldest known image of
The Swan
Janus and Jana Janssens
The story of De Zwaan, as far as is known, begins in 1912, when the property still belonged to the church. There, the books mention an expense of 600 Guilders for fitting it out as Café De Zwaan according to the new Liquor Act.
Adrianus Johannes Jansens and his wife Adriana Jonkers are considered to be the first known proprietors of Café De Zwaan.
In the village, they were known as Janus and Jana.
Janus didn't just limit himself to running the café. He was also a merchant and worked as a tailor, trading in manufactured goods and bespoke clothing. He also dealt in colonial goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and tobacco, making De Zwaan not only a catering establishment but also a place where one could buy daily necessities.
Postcards from 1914
Here we see the village square of Borkel en Schaft, with St Servatius Church and Café De Zwaan in the background. In front of the café, Dutch soldiers are posing with villagers, including the then-pregnant Jana Jansens. It is noteworthy that this picture postcard was published and sold by Janus himself, thus providing him with an extra source of income.
Jan Bijnen
The photographs on these postcards were taken by the now well-known regional photographer Jan Bijnen from Waalre. He travelled through Southeast Brabant and far beyond on his bicycle, where he photographed tirelessly. He carried his glass negatives in a box on the back of his bicycle, to print them himself later.
Dutch soldiers at
“Café De Zwaan”
The interior of Café De Zwaan in Borkel en Schaft at the beginning of the twentieth century. This shows how De Zwaan was already an important meeting and gathering place at the time for both villagers and soldiers during the mobilisation for the First World War in 1914.
A meeting place
For the whole village
The old photos clearly show the function De Zwaan fulfilled in the village. At the top left of the window it stated“Café De Zwaan – A. J. Jansens-Jonkers” And next to it, the white swan was emblazoned. The café was not just a place for a drink or a meal, but above all a place where the social life of Borkel and Schaft converged.
Villagers, young and old, gathered outside the pub. Behind the table, sitting on the left, Mayor Baken can be recognised.
Catholic Farmers' Wives Association
This photograph from 1918 shows female members of the Roman Catholic Farmers' Association, together with Father Van den Biggelaar, in front of Café De Zwaan. De Zwaan already played an important role at gatherings of associations and within Catholic village life at the time.
This tradition is To this day continued. The former K.V.O., nowadays known as ladies' association D.O.E. (Ladies Among Themselves), still celebrates its annual Christmas party at De Zwaan.
Well-known place in the village
Café De Zwaan since 1916
De Zwaan was not only a building on the square, but a fixed part of the daily life of Borkel en Schaft. A well-known place in the village and surrounding area. Here it is still seen with its original thatched gable roof, which was replaced by roof tiles around 1930.
Fanfare E.M.O.S.
The EMOS (Eendracht Maakt Ons Sterk) fanfare band was founded in 1920 and quickly played an important role in the village life of Borkel en Schaft. In the early years, the association did not have its own space, meaning rehearsals and performances often took place at Café De Zwaan.
For years, De Zwaan's hall provided the setting for music evenings and gatherings where musicians and villagers came together. In doing so, the café was not only a meeting place, but also an important stage for the village's rich associational life.
To this day, this history lives on and a part of the restaurant still bears the name EMOS.
The name "The Swan"
Around old pubs and inns, the most exciting stories often circulate. The name too “The Swan” used to be associated with immoral practices or with ladies who didn't just drop by for a cup of coffee.
For De Zwaan in Borkel and Schaft However, that image actually seems to be completely unfitting. This property was owned by the church for a long time and was therefore quite neatly supervised by the church board. Then Jan Sprengers the property at 1954 He therefore did not get it just like that, without conditions.
During the sale, it was explicitly stipulated that in De Zwaan no performances, exhibitions or entertainments were allowed that were contrary to Catholic doctrine and morals.
Or, in other words: the pastor apparently didn't like overly wild surprises in the audience.
And to be fair...
Fortunately, that has also remained the case over the years.
Harrie and Diny Peters
Harrie Peters, on the right in the photo, bought De Zwaan in 1964 and ran the pub together with his wife Diny (bottom left wearing glasses) until the end of 1973. The photos show the interior of the pub from that period, with the long bar, the beer taps, and the typical village pub atmosphere of De Zwaan. She cooked for over a hundred wedding guests at the time from their own “ordinary” kitchen at home, as their daughter Rita recounted.
Jos Franken and Harry Baken
Over the course of the twentieth century, De Zwaan continued to develop, while the core of the place remained the same.
Jos Franken and Harry Baken, two architects, bought the property in 1973. They renovated De Zwaan and the residence between 1973 and 1975 and rent it out afterwards.
From village pub to pub-restaurant
The cafe grew along with the village and the region, developing increasingly into a cafe-restaurant that not only attracted local villagers but also visitors from outside Borkel and Belgium. Its location on the square, close to the church and situated near the Dommel river and the surrounding nature, also made “De Zwaan” a natural stop for residents, walkers, tourists, and passers-by.
Pieter and Els Oostveen
In October 1987, they took over De Zwaan. Together, they developed the pub into a warm and trusted place for the village. In the kitchen and in the establishment, hospitality and attentiveness were central, as you would expect from a true Brabantian Cafe Restaurant at that time.
Family also helps out where needed: father Adriaan and mother Rietje lend a hand when it's busy. It is the season of coffee mornings, family celebrations and extensive cold buffets. With care and dedication, Pieter and Els ensure that everyone feels welcome.
The interior of
De Zwaan in the 80s
The interior at the time exuded cosiness and character. Wooden tables with Persian rugs, a billiard table and a dance floor that was regularly polished and waxed formed the heart of the pub.
Here there is feasting, dancing, and eating together. The hall is the setting for countless gatherings, from clubs to weddings. These images show what De Zwaan has stood for for generations.
Pieter and Els bought De Zwaan in 1996 as the culmination of their hard work, expanding De Zwaan and the adjacent house.
Our Marjo
Marjo Verstraaten here, together with Pieter Oostveen. Marjo has been associated with De Zwaan since she was sixteen, making her one of the regular faces at the establishment for decades.
She started in the time of Richard Wodak and grew into an indispensable force within 'De Zwaan'. With her experience, overview, and sense of planning, she knows better than anyone what is needed.
Marjo always knew how to gather people around her. She used to call her mother, and her children have all worked here for a time too. And her son “Our Danny” is currently a permanent fixture in the kitchen.
Probus Kempenland at the Zwaan
Since the early 2000s the members of Probus Kempenland an indispensable part of De Zwaan.
This association of involved and active seniors regularly meets here for gatherings focused on socialising and conversation.
Around these moments, De Zwaan has for years been the place where they come together for lunch, dinner, or a drink. This has allowed a strong bond to grow over the years. The ladies also have their own traditions, such as the cosy Ladies' lunch, and annually, the Christmas celebration and joint year-end dinner also take place with us.
The Swan Through the Generations
Over the years, De Zwaan has been run by different generations of landlords and owners. Each period shaped De Zwaan in its own way, but the core remained the same: a warm and welcoming place in the heart of beautiful Borkel en Schaft.
The layout changed, generations changed, the village grew and the world around it changed with it. De Zwaan remained a place where people came together. That makes this location special not only as a catering establishment, but also as a living piece of history.
De Zwaan today
Since 2021, we, Patrick Poeliejoe and Carola Adriaanse, have been continuing this special place. With respect for the rich history of the building and a passion for our craft, we, together with our team, are continuing to build Grand Café De Zwaan.
What has been the strength of De Zwaan for generations, we want to preserve: a homely and welcoming place for villagers, regular guests, visitors from the region, walkers, cyclists, tourists, and everyone who wants to experience Borkel en Schaft.
The history of De Zwaan lives on not only in old photographs and stories, but also in the hospitality, encounters and moments that are created here anew every day.
Operators & Owners
over the years
over the years
early 20th century
Janus Janssens
And
Jana Jansens-Jonkers
And
Jana Jansens-Jonkers
The earliest known proprietors of De Zwaan.
1912
Official legal hospitality function
The church board is having the premises fitted out as a pub according to the new Alcohol Act.
1928 – 1939
Johannes Laurens - Lau Claas
Tenant of De Zwaan and churchwarden of the parish.
1939 – 1954
Jan Sprengers
The tenant of De Zwaan after the death of Lau Claas.
1954
Jan Sprengers becomes owner
The church board is selling De Zwaan to Jan Sprengers.
1964 – late 1973
Harrie Peters and Diny Peters-Baken
Bought De Zwaan in 1964 and ran it until the end of 1973.
late 1973
Jos Franken
And
Harry Baken
And
Harry Baken
Buy the property, renovate it and rent out De Zwaan.
1975 – 1977
Emmy Maenen
And
Johan Luyten
And
Johan Luyten
Release De Zwaan together.
1977 – 1987
Richard Wodak
Tenant and operator of De Zwaan.
1987 – 2001
Pieter and Els Oostveen
The operators took over in October 1987 and bought the property in December 1996 from Jos Franken and Harrie Baken.
2001 – 2016
Frank and Ger Swinkels
Ger Swinkels is buying the property from Pieter Oostveen. Frank Swinkels runs De Zwaan.
2016 – 2021
Gertie Imming
And
Robbie Verhagen
And
Robbie Verhagen
Henk and Lenie Imming buy the property. Gertie Verhagen-Imming and Robbie Verhagen run De Zwaan.
2021 – present
Patrick Poeliejoe
And
Carola Adriaanse
And
Carola Adriaanse
They rent the property in 2021 and buy it in 2025 from the Imming family, thereby continuing the history of De Zwaan.
Composition of this history
This story about the history of Grand Café De Zwaan has been compiled with great care and attention by Patrick, using old photographs, documents, stories from former owners, employees and guests, and information from archives and local history societies. The aim has been to create a picture that is as complete and honest as possible.
Despite all the care, there may still be omissions or additions. If you have any information that could enrich this story, it would be greatly appreciated.
Sources & Archives
Former owners and operators
Regional History Centre Eindhoven
Local History Society Weerderheem Valkenswaard
Historical Newspapers: Meierijsche Courant & Eindhovens Dagblad
Valkenswaard as it was
Borkel en Schaft as it was
Borkel en Schaft Parish – History
Tony Willems
Rita Peters (daughter of Harrie & Diny Peters)
Loraine Jansens (granddaughter of Janus Jansens & Jana Jansens-Jonkers)
Joop van Appeldorn
© Grand Café De Zwaan • Borkel en Schaft