VINEGAR FACTORY MIDDELBURG:
A bit hidden in a Middelburg street is the most elegant factory building in Zeeland: the former vinegar factory of the company A.A. Knife. The facade is rich in Art Nouveau elements. The building was erected in 1900 after a fire destroyed the factory that used to be here. The horseshoe arches around the doors, the elegant letters and the floral elements that predominate in the decoration are typical of the Jugendstil (or Art Nouveau). This building immediately stands out in the streetscape. Above the window is a natural stone tableau with the name of the factory: 'This is the Arab'. It also depicts an Arab on horseback. This representation was also reflected in the company's logo. According to the son of manufacturer Mes, his father got the idea for the logo from Portuguese colonial stamps from that time. The logo could also be found on the branding stamp, with which the brand was burned into the bottoms of the barrels.
Wine vinegar, berry wine, bitters, liqueur and eggnog were made in the factory. The berry wine in particular suffered in the early years from the rise of non-alcoholic drinks. When synthetic acetic acid replaced natural vinegar in the middle of the twentieth century, the vinegar factory was no longer profitable.
Beautiful embellishments on the old factory. You give an interesting history. It's too bad the factory went out of business. As a small business, it would make an interesting place to tour and perhaps the folks drawn in would buy the products, now that prohibition has been overturned.
When I was a young girl I was able to visit Holland a couple of times. This picture just took me right back there. I wonder if I was there? Doubtful though. I do have good memories of my trip there even though I was so young.
A beautiful image with the red brick and roof tiles against the clear blue sky, echoed by the blue frames of the windows! Interesting historical info, too! Fav
It looks like they are still using the building which is good because the artwork should be saved. I love how blue the sky is here- it really makes the red bricks stand out.
