Hendrik’s Artisan Master Shoemaker won the title and is therefore the Shoemaker of the Year 2026. Owner Hendrik Kooij will take on the ambassador role for the shoemaking profession for one year. He also received a trophy and a large banner.

The competition “Shoemaker of the Year” is an initiative of the Dutch Shoemakers Association. In this competition, the shoemaker’s customers play a key role. In other words, customer goodwill is an important factor. The jury selected the finalists as follows:

• Customers could nominate their shoemaker through online and Facebook reviews

• Customers could fill out a form on the website to nominate their shoemaker

• The entrepreneur could start their own campaign using #ShoemakerOfTheYear on social media, or be nominated by a colleague

After this, several businesses were selected for an unannounced visit by the professional jury. During these visits, attention was paid to the quality of repairs, the overall appearance of the shop, and the presentation of the shoemaker. It was also important that the business could serve as a role model for the profession and that the owner could act as an ambassador for the entire industry. This year’s finalists were once again of high quality.

Following the jury visits, three finalists were selected. On February 21, they were celebrated with a congratulatory tour at their own businesses.

The winner:
Hendrik’s Artisan Master Shoemaker from Amsterdam-Buitenveldert. This is the business of Hendrik and Jeannine Kooij, located at Kastelenstraat 67 A in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert. Customers are full of praise. Detailed reviews consistently highlight the outstanding quality. The shop is cozy and efficiently arranged, with clearly separated areas for drop-off, pick-up, and sales, away from the machines. This allows Hendrik to focus on what he does best: repairing shoes.

The jury was impressed by the high-quality craftsmanship, carried out with great care. Customers praise not only the excellent repairs but also the “service with a smile.” Hendrik was previously runner-up and placed third twice in the former competition in 2013 and 2017. Through continuous improvements, he has now truly become the winner of Shoemaker of the Year 2026 — a wonderful ambassador for the shoemaking profession in the Netherlands.

Other prize winners:

Second prize
Marcel van Lent – Fine Shoe Repair, Amsterdam
This is the business of Marcel van Lent, located in the heart of Amsterdam at Ferdinand Bolstraat 104 B. Without a doubt, a beautiful business in a prime location. The shop breathes craftsmanship and is a pleasant surprise in the city, fully decorated in a traditional artisan style. According to the jury, the quality of repairs is truly outstanding. Notably, many climbing shoes are also repaired here. Customers praise his problem-solving approach and excellent craftsmanship. As one nomination put it:
“Shoes make the woman, and this shoemaker makes shoes like no other.”

Third prize
Shoecare Amstelveen, Amstelveen
This business is run by owner Jan Verhave and his son Stefan. They are located at Rembrandthof 55 in the Stadshart shopping center in Amstelveen. They were strongly supported by customers, who actively nominated them through forms and social media. The responses were heartwarming and overwhelming. This may also have been influenced by uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in their current location in the shopping center in the future.

The jury was pleasantly surprised by the shop, located opposite the Albert Heijn in the shopping center. They are open seven days a week due to required opening hours. Customers can confidently bring their shoes here for repair.

Source: Dutch Shoemakers Association