Een kast vol passie voor Ingeborg Simonetti, het gezicht van Kinderboekwinkel Nijmegen

A cabinet full of passion for Ingeborg Simonetti, the face of Children's Bookshop Nijmegen

A cabinet for your collection of books, kitchenware, model trains, hobby materials: at Lundia, we encounter the most wonderful questions, often born from a passion. That's what energizes us! That's why, under the banner of "a cabinet full of passion," we visit people who passionately share what drives them.

In the heart of the lively city centre of Nijmegen, a little hidden behind the Waagh, lies a magical place: Children's Bookshop Nijmegen. Besides many books, you will find here above all a world full of stories. The face behind Children's Bookshop Nijmegen is Ingeborg Simonetti, a woman with an infectious passion for books, imagination, and connection. We speak with her about the inspiration, stories, and choices that make her shop such a special place.

Licht interieur met hoge planken vol kinderboeken en een tafeltje met diverse boeken en tijdschriften erbij

From teacher to storyteller

"My passion? Horses," Ingeborg says with a laugh. She quickly admits that her true love might not necessarily be books, but rather stories. She grew up in a house full of books, stored in a floor-to-ceiling Lundia bookcase. As a child, she wasn't really into reading. "I just hated it," she confesses. Yet, she became a teacher, and later a drama therapist. She was always engaged in storytelling, using her imagination, and engaging the children. "I felt completely at home in front of the class," she says. Until her daughter tipped her off that a children's bookstore in Nijmegen was for sale. Would that be something for her? Her parents were also immediately enthusiastic and thought it was a perfect fit for Ingeborg. "At first, I thought it was a ridiculous idea. Yet, somehow, I felt like this was my place. I'm not a very vague person, but this just felt right." And so, Ingeborg began a new chapter.

Local versus online

These days, Kinderboekwinkel Nijmegen has become much more than just a place to sell books. You can go there for a meeting, a chat, and inspiration. Ingeborg knows her customers, asks about their day, and recommends books based on the person she's dealing with. That personal approach is what Kinderboekwinkel Nijmegen stands for. But as a small business owner, it's difficult to survive in an increasingly digital world. "I understand that it's easy to buy online," says Ingeborg. "But it's a shame that consumers often bypass local stores because of this. People think Bol.com is cheaper or easier to use, while I also have a webshop that's just as easy. During the coronavirus pandemic, local shopping temporarily revived, and people massively supported local shops. Unfortunately, that effect has largely disappeared." Yet she remains positive and determined. She sees how customers return for the personal contact, the genuine attention, and the honest advice. "A store like this is more than just a place to buy. It's also about the experience, a chat, and a smile," she says. It's not just about revenue, it's about connection. And no online store can replace that.

Building connections is also evident in Ingeborg's collaborations with schools. "I help set up school libraries and read aloud to classes. That's the best work there is," she says. Her dream? "That every school, big or small, will find my shop for advice and books." Because in a world that's becoming increasingly fast-paced and digital, Kinderboekwinkel Nijmegen is eager to prove that personal contact, passion, and stories are still irresistible. And most importantly for Ingeborg herself? "Despite the high rent, the small margins, and the pressure from large chains, I'm happy. And that's what matters."

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