Marc’s

Although Marc was born and raised in Groningen, he travelled all over the world after training as a recognised floral designer. He started in Athens, but was soon asked to work in Tokyo. "By then I was 21. I gave classes, demonstrations and workshops in European floral design for future professionals." After working in Japan for 3 years, Marc was ready for something new.

Through a friend, he ended up in the United States. He travelled through several places: from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and San Francisco. But the Big Apple stole his heart: "I fell in love with New York. I got a job at a florist shop in the Upper East Side via via. The thinking here was really: the bigger the better. From the most extravagant weddings to luxurious bar mitzvahs: we took care of the floral arrangements here. But Naomi Campbell and the Sex and the City ladies were also regulars."

After Tokyo and New York, Marc made a brief stopover back in the Netherlands. But the urge to go abroad kept itching. Through a good friend from master binding school, he ended up in London. In Camden Town, he worked in a high-end flower shop. And here you shouldn't be surprised when people like George Michael walked in. After doing another assignment in the Dominican Republic, Marc felt it was time for his own business. He returned to Groningen.

Back in Groningen, he first went to work at Bloemen Mozaïek in Haren. But when a property on the Munnekeholm became available in 2005, Marc knew he had to get cracking. "I always thought this was a very beautiful part of Groningen. Together with a business partner, I started my shop in this building and in 2006 I went on by myself."

According to Marc, the nice thing about doing business in Groningen is the bit of 'us knows us'. Over the years he has built up quite a large regular customer base. "For instance, an old lady comes into the shop every year. She then selects Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren with a different letter of the alphabet. Or a woman who has been visiting with her whole family for years. The children get a little older every year and some now visit with their families." Marc also notes the growing international audience. Because of the many international students and tourists, he regularly speaks to customers in English. In short: the people who walk into Marc's are very varied and that is exactly what he enjoys.

Every year, Marc's starts building up its Christmas shop as early as September. Where in the other months it is an interior decoration shop, Marc's turns into a true Christmas Walhalla from October onwards. For three months you can come here for the most beautiful Christmas ornaments and other Christmas decorations. And are you still looking for a nice gift for under the Christmas tree? Then this is the place to be. Marc makes sure you leave with a beautifully wrapped present.

Marc imports his baubles and ornaments from Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine. Last year, he also started setting up his own Groningen Christmas baubles line. It started in 2022 with a mouth-blown and hand-painted Martinitoren ornament, but now he has also had Christmas baubles produced with other iconic Groningen buildings. The baubles are handmade at a small Ukrainian company and are real collectors' items.

About Marc's favourite place in Groningen he does not have to think long: that is his own shop. Outside the festive months he lives in a country house in Drenthe, but during his busiest month he lives near the shop. "In December it is crazy and we are open every day, then it is nice that I can live here. I love getting to work during these months. Christmas is emotion, tradition and nostalgia and that permeates everything I do here in the shop."

This entrepreneurial portrait was created as part of the Gastvrij Groningen programme. The Gastvrij Groningen programme is run by Marketing Groningen and implemented and financed on behalf of The Fund for Enterprising Groningen, the Municipality of Groningen and Groningen Bereikbaar. Koninklijke Horeca Nederland and the four Groningen business associations: Groningen City Club, Bedrijvenvereniging West, Bedrijvenverenigin Zuidoost and Bedrijvenvereniging Noordoost are also involved in the programme.