The house at 1 Roodborstlaan recently revealed a good kept secret. When refurbishing the basement and replacing the last still remaining lead piping the plumber found, in an underground crawlspace, a leaflet of tissue paper with an 1927 ad for a newly opened tobacco shop at 43 Mezenlaan. That is a location we now know as the Mezenpleintje where previously lots of shops were to be found. How long the 'Cigar and cigarette trade' of Mr Jansz has endured is not known.
Picture of the ad above, translated:
Vloeibad is translated to very thin paper. It's used to roll your own cigarettes.
Dear Sir!
With this, I have the honor to inform you that I opened a shop for cigar & cigarettes at 43 MEEZENLAAN. By offering excellent service and and first class goods I hope to gain your patronage. Orders are gladly brought to you at home.
My phone number is 34517.
Politely recommending, 1 July 1927 W.C.P. Jansz
Story continued in next issue of the magazine (page 11):
Mr. Jansz, the tobacco shopkeeper originally was accountant and representative in tobacco goods. He and his family were the first residents of 43 Mezenlaan. In May 1928 the family went to live above the shop, at 41 Mezenlaan, but for reasons unknown the family left in October 1929 to live in Amsterdam. This was WCP Jansz II.