31/08/2026
The history of Die Blou Meul, Alberton
Die Blou Meul Shop and Shooting Academy is one of Alberton’s longstanding landmark businesses, located on Van Riebeeck Avenue in Alberton North. �
The Citizen
1954 — The beginning
The strongest evidence places the establishment of Die Blou Meul on 1 April 1954.
A 2014 Alberton Record article marking the business's 60th anniversary states that it was opened on 1 April 1954 by Wim Vunderink, a Dutchman. It originally operated as a Dutch delicatessen, selling items such as sweets, cold meats, tinned foods and groceries. �
The Citizen
A separate Alberton Record historical feature also identifies Wim Vunderink as the person who started Blou Meul as a delicatessen in 1954, providing independent confirmation of the date. �
The Citizen
From delicatessen to outdoor specialist
The business gradually changed direction.
Vunderink was an outdoor enthusiast and recognised an opportunity to supply Alberton residents with sporting, fishing and camping equipment. As that side of the business grew, it eventually became more important than the original food and delicatessen operation. �
The Citizen
This transformation is an important part of the Blou Meul story: it went from being a neighbourhood food shop to becoming a well-known outdoor and sporting retailer.
The Blou Meul and Alberton's entertainment history
There is another interesting connection to the site.
A 2014 first-person historical account by Alberton resident Nick van Zyl, who grew up in Alberton, recalls that his mother's florist was next to the Reno Bioscope, which he identifies as being where Die Blou Meul is today. He describes the Reno Bioscope and Café as popular entertainment venues for children in Alberton North. �
The Citizen
A 2013 local newspaper heritage feature also referred to Blou Meul as the “first old movie house” when it included the building in a heritage-themed tour of Alberton. �
The Citizen +1
Important fact-check: the evidence supports the historical association between the present Blou Meul site and the Reno Bioscope, but I would not claim that the current Blou Meul business itself operated as a cinema. Those are two different aspects of the site's history.
Later generations
By 2014, Calie Henning had taken over from Wim Vunderink and had expanded the business considerably. The same contemporary anniversary article says Calie eventually handed the reins to his children, Jacques and Vicky. �
The Citizen
This makes Die Blou Meul particularly significant in Alberton's commercial history: it was not simply an old shop that survived, but a business that adapted its product offering over several generations.
Why it matters to Alberton's history
Die Blou Meul is significant because it represents the period when Alberton North was developing into an established residential and commercial community during the 1950s and following decades.
It was already advertising itself as an established Alberton address in historical material, including as a destination for cold meats and local and imported groceries. �
The Citizen
Its continued presence also makes it one of the recognisable surviving landmarks associated with Alberton's older commercial streetscape.
Fact-checked timeline
Year
Event
1 April 1954
Wim Vunderink opens Die Blou Meul as a Dutch delicatessen. �
The Citizen
1950s onward
The business expands into sporting, fishing and camping goods. �
The Citizen
Later decades
The business develops into a major outdoor-oriented retailer.
2013
Blou Meul is included in a local heritage-building tour of Alberton. �
The Citizen
2014
The business celebrates its 60th anniversary; Calie Henning is reported as owner, with Jacques and Vicky subsequently taking over. �
The Citizen
Today
The business remains at 43 Van Riebeeck Avenue, Alberton North, according to current business information.
⚠️ The 1945 vs 1954 discrepancy
You may find websites stating that Blou Meul was established in 1945. I would not use 1945 in a historical FIG Properties post.
The evidence I found supporting 1954 is substantially stronger:
The 2014 article specifically says opened 1 April 1954 and celebrates its 60th anniversary. �
The Citizen
Another Alberton historical feature independently says Wim Vunderink started Blou Meul in 1954. �
The Citizen
Multiple historical summaries repeat 1954. �
SA Venues +1
Therefore, for a fact-checked historical graphic, I would use: Established 1 April 1954.
