History and Pleats team

Under the motto 'Always hospitable', this business has been run by the couple Eelke and Geesje Duursma-Dijkstra for 25 years.

De Pleats is not just a restaurant or party venue, but a building with a rich history where many stories have unfolded. After all, De Pleats has traditionally been the home of farmer's son Haye Tjallings. De Pleats, Frisian for 'farm', was built in the 1770s to showcase Haye Tjallings' wealth. With a large barn and a luxurious front house, the farm was on par with the possessions of other wealthy farmers in the area. As you walk through the front rooms, you can still see the original fireplace, box beds, and tiling.

Haye married his fiancée Sytske Floris in 1777. The couple had two children, named Jetske and Tjalling. As befits the eldest son, Tjalling came to live on the farm with his wife Tetje. During the time of Napoleon, their new family name became Haisma. The couple was happy with two sons: Haye, named after Tjalling's father, and Sybren. Haye was the son who was allowed to take over the farm and had no fewer than 8 children with his wife. Upon the death of both parents, the eldest daughter came into possession of the farm and married Sybren Douma.

Sybren loved taking big risks, which sometimes cost him dearly later on. One evening, for instance, he was sitting with his friends in the local pub, called 'De Drie Gekroonde Baarzen'. They were having a good time, and Sybren had consumed quite a bit of alcohol. During a card game, he had placed a wild bet: the winner of the game would win De Pleats. Unfortunately, the outcome of the game meant that he had lost his farm and had thus literally 'squandered' it.

Years after De Pleats ceased to function as a farm, its function changed, and De Pleats became a cultural center in 1954. The then-owner, farmer Hindrik van der Wielen, sold the farm to the municipality. Commissioned by the municipality and based on the plans of architect A. Baart, De Pleats was restored to preserve as many authentic elements as possible, and it was decided to turn it into a functional cultural center. Due to the great success of theatrical performances, receptions, weddings, and courses, De Pleats outgrew its premises. Therefore, the Lytshûs was added in 1978 to create more space. To ensure the atmosphere of the building was not compromised, this space was constructed in keeping with the style.

In 1997, current owners Eelke and Geesje took over De Pleats together. They got married in 1998. Owner Geesje practically grew up in the hospitality industry; her parents used to own the well-known restaurant Vislust in Opeinde. After studying economics, she worked as a formula manager at F. van der Velde BV (now Sligro). Geesje is your hostess at the front of the business. Owner Eelke has always worked in the hospitality industry and was a cooking and service instructor for a long time. Eelke leads the kitchen brigade. The Pleats team now consists of nearly 50 employees, and De Pleats has grown into the premier meeting place in Friesland.

All in all, this entire history makes your dinner and outing even more special. Feel free to ask our staff for a look inside the old stables, now the Great Hall, or the authentic front rooms. You can also take the 360° tour from your computer via the website to travel back in time and take a look at the rich history of this beautiful building.

Feel welcome and enjoy yourself at De Pleats!