Why is there a store dedicated to selling rubber ducks in Amsterdam?
The story goes that the Amsterdam Duck Store was opened after Barbara de Vlam saw how many ducks were selling in her toy shop. Each time she added a different type of duck it would sell. So, in 2015 Barbara literally did get her ducks in a row and opened a store that only sold ducks! It became the first store to exclusively sell ducks and today, these iconic ducks are famous.
People walking by cannot ignore the masses of ducks sitting in the window. With a second glance, they realize the whole store is pond-full of rubber ducks arranged neatly on floor-to-ceiling shelves. At this point, they cannot help going inside for a closer look. Most leave with one or more of the squeaky souvenirs. We left with two!
The toy ducks continued waddling off the shelves. So much so that today there are not one but three duck stores in Amsterdam. And as if that is not enough, there are rubber duck stores in Barcelona, San Sebastian, Lisbon, San Marino, Milan, Rome, Madeira, Segovia, Venice, Madrid, Valencia, Killarney, Bucharest, and Paris.
You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and shop online.
I am sure you are asking yourself…why rubber ducks? There are a few reasons.
It started with a poem by Florentijin Hofman, a Dutch artist. His poem inspired Barbara.
The rubber duck knows no frontier
it doesn’t discriminate people
and doesn’t have a political connotation.
The friendly floating rubber duck
has healing properties;
it can relieve mondial tensions
as well as define them.
The rubber duck is soft, friendly
And suitable for
all ages.
Everyone loves a collection. This store offers a profusion of ducks…virtually any type of rubber duck you could want. Everyone can identify with at least one of the ducks.
- Professions · doctor, lawyer, astronaut, scuba-diver, chef, and more
- Celebrities · Harry Potter, Mario, Uncle Sam, Prince, Godfather, and more
- Animals · unicorn, bee, bat, pug, dolphin, hedgehog, flamingo, and more
- Superheroes · Spiderman, Superman, Batman, and more
- Themed · Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine, and more
The ducks are relatively affordable at around 12 euros allowing most people to purchase.
Lastly, in a country where almost everything is allowed, what is so strange about selling rubber ducks?
If you find yourself in Amsterdam and in search of a brick-and-mortar that strictly sells rubber ducks, waddle on over to the Amsterdam Duck Store.
Operations
- Everyday 10 AM to 10 PM
- Oude Doelenstraat 2, 1012 ED Amsterdam ·+31 6 47196776 · google map
- Geldersekade 37, 1012 AS Amsterdam · google map
- Rokin 82, 1012 KW Amsterdam · google map
- Oude Leliestraat 16, 1015 AW Amsterdam ·+31 6 55396326 · google map
- website
Prices
Depending on their size, the rubber ducks are priced between 8 and 15 euros. It’s a bit more than most people would pay for a squeaky bathtub toy, but if you consider the experience of being surrounded by thousands of adorable ducks, I’d say the price is pretty fair.
Wrap Up
If you’re planning on visiting the Duck Store and buying a rubber duck, you should know that they have a clear “card-only” policy. Their motto is “no cash, no robbers”.
Which is your favorite duck?
Until next time…
· izzy
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