The former pharmacy ‘Apotheek Van Sante’ was a household name in the Zaan region… Kalverringdijk 11 was the very first house to be rebuilt in the Zaanse Schans, in 1959. The house was originally located on Westzijde in Zaandam, and was previously used by ‘Apotheek van Sante’ (Van Sante Pharmacy), a household name in the Zaan region. The impending construction of the Beatrix Bridge meant that the building had to make way for this new project. After being rebuilt, it was the only house in the Zaanse Schans for quite some time, as spending restrictions in the late 1950s brought construction activities to a halt. The first real residents of the Zaanse Schans were Mr. and Mrs. Bosman, who moved there in 1961 with their four children. In spice mill ‘De Huisman’, Mr. Bosman commenced production of what would eventually become the legendary Zaanse mustard, an important ingredient in many recipes and dishes, and an essential item in every Zaan household. This authentic Zaanse mustard is now renowned throughout the Netherlands and far beyond. Son Frank Bosman still produces the mustard to this day, and it is available from just about every supermarket.

The ‘Apotheek van Sante’ house, pictured here directly behind the shop premises, was the first house to be rebuilt in the Zaanse Schans in 1959.