Nevzat Gurel first stepped onto the Haagse Markt 38 years ago, having arrived in the Netherlands the year the national football team won the European Championship. He was 20 years old and spoke no Dutch.
Alongside his nephew, he began working behind the scenes for the Van der Veen family. While his nephew translated, Gurel helped Turkish customers buy fabrics to carry back to Turkey.
Building his own business
After six years, Gurel retrained to work in horticulture, but missed the market atmosphere and social contact. When he returned, the Van der Veen family encouraged him to register with the Chamber of Commerce and helped him launch his own stall.
He bought wholesale batches through the family and built up his business over time. Today, the 58-year-old sells clothes, bags, caps, and belts from a large stall.
Daily life on Herman Costerstraat
The market on Herman Costerstraat has operated on the same site for 88 years, housing over 500 stalls employing more than 1,000 people. Gurel notes working conditions have improved, as vendors no longer have to load and unload goods with cars every day.
Though his children do not plan to take over the stall, Gurel has no intention of retiring. Having never taken a sick day, he says he will stay on the market as long as his health allows.
