History
History
Since 2010 is Avonturia de Vogelkelder the largest pet store in the Netherlands and the BeNeLux. The history and origin of Avonturia de Vogelkelder goes way back in time. It all started in 1976 when Jan Huybers was rejected as a construction worker and decided to turn his hobby into his profession. On September 18, 1976, “De Vogelkelder” registered in the register of the Chamber of Commerce in The Hague.
Jan Huybers the founder and founder of Avonturia started selling birds from the basement of his own house, hence the name de Vogelkelder† The windowsill in the bedroom of Jan and Emely's house served as a shop window. He regularly received representatives in the living room, or customers went to the toilet at their home, Emely eventually had enough. Soon this location became too small and the first real store was opened.
Jan Hubers
The company's large and rapid growth is due to founder and founder Jan Huybers. From the beginning of the opening of his first store, he did everything differently, bigger and with more experience. In 1982 his first real store was already 360m2, which was already larger than the average pet store in the 21st century. When he opened the 1.000m2 store in 1990, he was declared crazy, isn't that much too big for a pet store? With a large pond with stray and flying animals in the middle of the store, this could never be profitable, could it? But it soon became a success and even this store eventually became too small, in 2010 the largest pet store in the Netherlands was opened, no less than 6.000 m2!
What once started in a small basement of 90m2 has grown into a family business and the largest pet store with a zoo section. A real nature discovery center for young and old with a total area of 8.000 m2. Jan Huybers has taught us a lot, continues to develop and expand, so we don't stand still. We will continue to expand, innovate and enlarge in the future
The Jan Huybersplein is a tribute to the now deceased founder of Avonturia: Jan Huybers. Jan made the design and design of the square together with Cees van Dashorst, but unfortunately he was unable to experience the construction and the result, he passed away unexpectedly on November 11, 2016. The square is therefore named after him. His sons Jimmy & Donald and his wife Emely continue the family business with the vision and thoughts of Jan.
New store
The new 6.000m2 store on Kerketuinenweg was so much more than a pet store, the name “De Vogelkelder” didn't really fit the new store anymore. The pond became even bigger, you can find all kinds of animals, even flamingos. In addition to the "Pet Shop" with a lot of experience and natural elements, there was now also a real Mini-Zoo (small zoo), a Veterinary Clinic and a Brasserie "de OehOe" for delicious fresh sandwiches and snacks. Children's parties and school trips were organized and, in addition to experience, education also became an important spearhead. That is why at the opening of the new location on January 10, 2010 the name was changed to Avonturia "De Vogelkelder".
On May 11, 2019 “Mappa Mundia” was officially opened by Councilor Richard de Mos. This is the new name for the zoo part of Avonturia de Vogelkelder† At this official opening, the newest extensions of the “Jan Huybersplein” and the “Pinguin Academy” were also opened to the public. An extension to the zoo section that has been intensively worked on for two years behind the scenes, down to the smallest detail.
History by year
- 1976 Start "De Vogelkelder” from the basement of 90m2 under Jan Huybers' house.
- 1982 Relocation, opening of 360m2 store on Copernicuslaan.
- 1990 Relocation, opening of the Oude Haagweg store of 1.000 m2, Nature Discovery Center “De Vogelkelder".
- 1990 The first van is driving around.
- 2001 The first children's parties are organised.
- 2004 Launch webshop: AvonturiaShop.nl
- 2010 Relocation, opening of the Kerketuinenweg store of 6.000 m2, Avonturia "De Vogelkelder".
- 2010 New: Now also a “Mini-Zoo”, Veterinary Clinic, dog pub, Big Pond en Brasserie “De OehOe”.
- 2011 Opening Dog wash Woezel and Pip, the first in the world.
- 2014 Purchase of adjacent property (2.000 m2 extra space, total now 8.000 m2)
- 2016 Extension Expedition Bombay open to the public.
- 2016 Unfortunately, the founder “Jan Huybers” passed away in 2016, we are continuing to expand his vision and dream!
- 2017 Extension it “The Hague Rat Sewer” open to the public.
- 2017 Expansion and opening “cat street" & new ones Veterinary Clinic Avonturia.
- 2019 Official opening and new name “zoo” section: Mappa Mundia !
- 2019 Opening “Jan Huybersplein” the latest expansion of Mappa Mundia.
- 2019 Opening “Penguin Academy” the latest expansion of Mappa Mundia.
- 2021 Brasserie “de Oehoe” gets a new name: “Avonturia's Kitchenall over the world.
- 2021 Avonturia's Kitchen gets bigger and goes on Tour with its own food trailer.
