Holland International Market Re-Opens in Bellflower

Holland International’s licorice aisle stocks more than 50 flavors.

By Tammye McDuff

This past summer patrons were shocked to hear Los Angeles County’s last remaining Dutch market, Holland American International Specialties, would close after 71 years in business. The original 20,000-square-foot store evolved into a regional hub for Southern California’s Dutch community and attracted customers from as far away as Northern California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Mexico and Hawaii. The building was said to be purchased by a Middle Eastern company and would more than likely become a discount warehouse.

You can’t keep a good market down, because it is back.

After much consideration, the Bellflower market reopened their doors Saturday, November 1, 2014 at a new location on Belmont Street. Although the new location is smaller, limiting the items the store once carried, the market is more centrally located within the renovated down town Bellflower.

Founded in 1943, Holland American International Specialties is the premier distributor of fine European and domestic specialty gourmet foods. As one of the first importer and distributor of Dutch gourmet food products in California, Holland American has developed a reputation for its quality service in the specialty gourmet foods industry.

From its beginnings during World War II as a specialized bakery to the evolution of a full service retailer, importer, wholesaler and distributor, Holland International Market carried a complete line of specialty gourmet food products ranging from bakery goods and cookies, specialty chocolates and candies, coffee, sauces and spices, cheese and gift items as well. Their famous Dutch Speculaas cookies, Venco licorice and Droste letters were among customer favorites.

The market will continue to carry many Dutch and Scandinavian goods, as well as introducing Indonesian grocery items. There is an entire aisle of black licorice with the favored Chocolate letters arriving early November. One customer exclaimed, “I’m so pleased they have continued to carry the big ball of cheese in red wax. Hooray, our Christmas is saved!”

A lifelong customer stated “I had been coming to the original market since as far back as I can remember. My father and his family came from Holland in the 60’s and you could find everything traditional Dutch at the old market from Haring to Wooden shoes. The atmosphere is like family, they are friendly, they are helpful and the new store couldn’t be cuter. It has been around since 1943, and I am so glad it is back!”

Holland International will also carry European products specifically from England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy with popular name brands such as Lindt, Ferrero, Carr’s, Walkers and Guylian.

Holland International

9835 Belmont St.
Bellflower, CA – 90706
Phone: (562) 925-9444
FAX: (562) 925-5777
Email: [email protected]