Tamara and Leo embark on a new adventure. † © Mark Waters
It seems you long ago found an inn on every corner of St. Mariaburg. Although this is not really the case. In the Braska part of the district there are still four cafes, none of them on the Eckers side. Until now. Tamara Willports and her husband, Leo De Roy, give former laborers a new lease on life. Tammy is the name now.
In the most famous corner of Mariaburg, Tamara and Leo want to develop a cozy neighborhood café with Tammy’s. † © Mark Waters
Tamara and Leo start their business at the corner of Kapelsesteenweg, Schriek and Willy Staeslei. “Cafe life taught me from a young age,” Tamara says. “With Leo, it’s a different story. In 2019, we opened our first family Tammys together in Bredabaan in Merksem. Before that, Leo had never used a pint before. He had experience on the other side of the counter.”
Their cafe in Merksem could have been a success. There was no shortage of work ethic and clients. A year and a half after the opening came the verdict: Corona. A reboot was certainly possible, but then Tamara and Leo were given the opportunity to expand their business in Mariaburg. Moreover, the property is very well located on the border of Ekeren and Brasschaat. The couple wants to re-create the former Joe Laboror. The space has been completely renovated and the balcony is also dealt with in a very short time. “All ages are welcome with us. We provide appropriate music. Dancing is possible on Friday and Saturday. We will also try to break the record for the longest bartenders marathon.” This endurance record standing behind the bar is currently 125 hours.
For Tamara, running a cafe is a second job. She works daily in the Luchtbal Special Education Department. “I do it with all my heart and soul,” Tamara says. Tamara is also the mother of four children. As a job seeker, two help occasionally with work. “Keeping a café is relaxing for me. Away from the everyday rubble.” Tammy, derived from Tamara, is currently open Tuesday through Saturday. (In other words†
“Total coffee specialist. Hardcore reader. Incurable music scholar. Web guru. Freelance troublemaker. Problem solver. Travel trailblazer.”
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