Gast­vrij door de eeu­wen heen

The former Merwezicht restaurant at Eind 19 in Gorinchem has a history dating back to the seventeenth century. Originally known as "Het Gekroond Schippershuis" (The Crowned Skipper's House), the building was strategically located near the Waterpoort, a key entrance to the city. Its first known owner was innkeeper Aelbert Hendricksz. van Steenbeek, followed by many others, including Jan Baptist de Vleeshouwer from Sint-Niklaas. In 1892, HNA Reijns purchased the coffeehouse, now renamed Merwezicht, for ƒ16.000. The restaurant survived the demolition of the Waterpoort in 1893 and remained a popular dining establishment with a beautiful river view. After having had several owners over the years, including the well-known "Miss Rika," who worked there for 58 years, and B. Koekman, the restaurant was reopened in 1996 by Atie and Hans van Lent. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant went bankrupt in 2021 and closed.