Down Town Nijmegen chooses Zumex Soul 2 series

Down Town Nijmegen has been around for nine years. Myrthe Meenink worked there as a chef when she was asked by the then owner, who was now running several businesses, whether she wanted to take over. “I I once told her that I wanted to have my own business in the future going to open. She wanted to leave Down Town in good hands with someone who would maintain it and work for it with great passion to stand."

Myrthe continues: “I didn't have to think about that for long and soon the signatures were set. That's already 2.5 years ago. Of course it was a bit exciting, because you suddenly go running my own business. But I haven't thought about this choice for a single day. regretted it. We are in a beautiful building, in a beautiful location and it Most importantly, we have a great team. I go out every day with a lot of “I enjoy going to work!”

It is a student city after all
Nijmegen is of course a student city and you will certainly see that in our guest circle. We welcome a lot of young people, the students. Mostly women who really enjoy having a cup of coffee together to go for coffee. That's really more of a woman's thing than a “man thing,” Myrthe says with a smile.

“We also see many young families at our table slide. Just to sit comfortably with the family, where they Enjoy a drink and a tasty treat, such as our homemade pastries or one of the delicious sandwiches that we make with great pleasure every time prepare for our guests.”

Myrthe continues: “Many international visitors come during the holiday periods guests visit us. It's always nice to see that tourists also finding our place – it gives the business a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel realm."

There is often a queue
Bee Down Town Nijmegen there are about 14 tables inside and outside they have another 10 tables: “When we have all the tables inside and outside occupied then we serve a maximum of 60 guests. We often have that everything is full and there are about four or five groups waiting to get a to get a table. Fortunately, the flow is fast and they don't have to usually not too long to wait.”

“People often say about us 'Down Town? Yes, that's always where it is. full and pleasantly busy'. That must mean we have something good do. Especially when the tables are full and we also regularly “We can see the same faces,” says Myrthe with satisfaction.

Various mixed juices
“We certainly notice an increasing demand for fresh and healthy products. We are happy to respond to that. In this way we make as much as possible that on our menu itself. This also applies to all juices, the lemonades and the iced tea. We have two varieties of iced tea, which we have on the drinks menu all year round. In addition, we have different types of drinks, all of which we make ourselves.”

Myrthe continues about the fresh juices: “Of course we have the freshly squeezed orange juice on the menu. However, we also have different mixed juices. This really depends on the season, because not all fruits and vegetables are available all year round available. That's why the mixed juices sometimes change on the drinks menu.”

The fresh juice is going very well
Bee Down Town Nijmegen they regularly sell 10 liters of freshly squeezed orange juice in a day: “And especially on Sundays a lot of orange juice is consumed Fresh juice served to our guests. When Downtown and the catering business next to us were still owned by the same owner, we used it together of the large Zumex machine that is at the neighbors. When the two businesses were split, that stopped. When you can have so many glasses of fresh juice serving, then it is really not possible to do it manually.”

“Pressing by hand took about 30 to 45 minutes a day to get everything pressed. We did that every morning so to be fully prepared for the day. In the long run we noticed that that it was no longer efficient, especially if we were to do it again had to do extra pressing because the fresh juice had run out.”

It became the Zumex Soul Series 2
"Because it is not really a big location and there was no room in the kitchen, the new machine will be placed on the bar. But even there We didn't have a lot of space, so a table model was best for us. That's how we ended up with the Zumex Soul Series 2. A fine machine and this It also fits very well on the bar in terms of look and feel. The advantage is that This automatic press machine is available in different colours. We were able to choose the one that best suited our interior,” says Myrthe satisfied.

Why a Zumex?
Of course they had already worked with a Zumex, but that did not immediately mean that they would go for this brand: “On the market There are various machines available: cheaper, but certainly also many times more expensive. Besides, you can only spend the money once and then you have to do it right the first time. We have looked carefully at our wishes, the price-quality ratio and several reviews. So it ended up being a Zumex. And when I asked, they immediately knew which machine would be best for us.”

It took some getting used to
“The delivery was good and faster than expected. At first We had to wait two weeks at the agency, but after a week they could machine already delivered. Everything was taken care of during delivery and commissioning neatly and clearly explained. Both the operation and the cleaning. At first we all had to get used to how the machine works. But at some point it became a problem for everyone routine and it went practically automatically, including cleaning it. We “We can almost do that with our eyes closed,” says Myrthe amusedly.

Second location 'The Garden of Downtown'
It Entrepreneurship is in Myrthe's blood: “At the current location it is It's quite difficult for a group to come to brunch with us. It's not big. and because of that it quickly becomes too full for a larger group. When I a while ago I found a super cool location with a great courtyard, It was quickly decided. We named it "The Garden of Downtown." Groups can make reservations there very easily and so we can location to serve larger numbers.”

“We are open the same times and days there, by the way. This location has a completely different look and a different menu. But what We have certainly adopted what worked well. In addition, there are also some things changed that would work easier and better there.”

Two sizes
“We serve fresh orange juice in two sizes at both locations different sizes of glasses. A normal size of 250-300ml and a smaller one size of 180ml. Especially when a guest has been with us for a while and a drink or two, then a large glass of fresh juice is included Lunch just a little too much. Many of our guests therefore prefer to choose the smaller size.”

Payback period
“Oooh “Yeeh, that's a question I don't have an immediate answer to,” says Myrthe, thinking. "I haven't done any math on it yet." But if I quickly list some numbers, then we don't have to in any case, it can no longer be squeezed out by hand. That was usually done done by one of the students working for us. If you then go to the minimum wage and calculate the hours, then I think I can get the machine I'll have it finished within a year. I'll definitely be happy with that!

“But then it is only calculated on the basis of personnel costs. Very We should honestly spend the hours we no longer spend pressing and We also take into account the amount we can spend on our guests. Because ultimately the machine works more efficiently and we can serve our guests better. That also counts for us in the 'payback', gives a enthusiastic Myrthe.

Highly recommended?
Myrthe is brief and concise about this: “When you are looking to an automatic press machine that does not take up too much space takes, then definitely YES! And the great thing about this machine is, it is available in several colours, so it fits into any interior. Oooh and it's not an ugly machine, rather a beauty!”

Myrthe Meenink
Down Town NMGN
Kannenmarkt 16
6511 KC Nijmegen
https://www.downtownnmgn.nl/