Our History – Since 1848

For almost two centuries, the De Bruijn family has practised the art of hairdressing with passion, craftsmanship and dedication. Today, Michael de Bruijn proudly continues this family tradition as the sixth generation, working from our historic salon at Springweg 20, in the heart of Utrecht.

De Bruijn Hairdressing is the oldest hairdressing family in Utrecht and one of the oldest continuously operating hairdressing families in the Netherlands. For almost 180 years, quality, personal attention and traditional craftsmanship have been at the heart of everything we do.

The Early Generations

The earliest known member of the De Bruijn family to work as a barber in Utrecht was Petrus de Bruijn (1798–1854). He combined his profession as a barber with that of an innkeeper and publican. His son, Adrianus de Bruijn (1851–1901), followed in his father's footsteps and established himself as an independent barber at the Varkenmarkt in Utrecht.

From that moment onwards, the profession was passed down from generation to generation. Several members of the De Bruijn family chose the hairdressing profession, building a reputation that has been closely associated with the city of Utrecht for well over a century.

Springweg and Rozenstraat

In 1905, Petrus Adrianus Jacobus (P.A.J.) de Bruijn (1881–1937) opened a barbershop at Springweg 20. To this day, this historic building remains the home of De Bruijn Hairdressing.

His brother, Adrianus de Bruijn (1885–1936), managed the family's barbershop, which was later located at Rozenstraat 4. When he passed away in 1936 at a relatively young age, his widow Johanna van der Laan was left to care for the family.

Their eldest son, Adrianus de Bruijn (1917–1988), was only about eighteen years old when he assumed responsibility for the day-to-day management of the barbershop. Thanks to his dedication, the family business survived and continued to provide an income for the family during difficult times.

After the death of P.A.J. de Bruijn in 1937, the salon at Springweg was leased by his widow. This ensured that the business remained in operation until it was once again taken over by a member of the De Bruijn family in 1950.

Returning to Springweg

In December 1950, Petrus Hendrikus de Bruijn (1925–2012) and his fiancée Maria Cornelia Verweij (1927–2019) took over the barbershop at Springweg 20 from his uncle, Petrus Adrianus Jacobus (P.A.J.) de Bruijn, the brother of his father, Adrianus de Bruijn (1885–1936).

After many years of being leased, the historic salon returned to the direct ownership of the De Bruijn family. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the family business.

The Fifth and Sixth Generations

On 1 April 1986, Peter de Bruijn and his wife Lucia de Bruijn-van Blokland took over the family business. Peter devoted more than 53 years to the hairdressing profession and, together with Lucia, further strengthened the outstanding reputation of De Bruijn Hairdressing.

From 1986 until September 2022, Lucia also operated her own pedicure practice at the rear of the salon. For more than 36 years, Peter and Lucia welcomed their clients with the same personal attention, hospitality and craftsmanship that have characterised the De Bruijn family for generations.

In 2007, their son Michael de Bruijn joined the business as a partner. Since 1 September 2021, he has been the owner of De Bruijn Hairdressing and proudly continues the family tradition as the sixth generation. Peter de Bruijn has since retired after a career spanning more than five decades, looking back with pride on a lifetime devoted to the profession he has always loved.

Craftsmanship Since 1848

For almost 180 years, De Bruijn Hairdressing has stood for quality, craftsmanship and personal service. By combining the knowledge and experience of six generations with modern techniques, the family business continues to evolve while remaining true to its rich heritage.

As the proud holder of the prestigious Royal Warrant (By Appointment to the Royal Household), we honour our past while looking confidently towards the future. Every day, we welcome our clients with the same passion and dedication that inspired our ancestors nearly two centuries ago.

Historical Acknowledgement

The history of De Bruijn Hairdressing is based on historical research conducted by drs. Janjaap Luijt in 2014. The research drew upon sources including the Utrecht Archives, the Central Bureau for Genealogy, civil registration records, population registers, personal record cards, city directories, historical newspapers and the records of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

Based on these historical sources, it is considered highly likely that De Bruijn Hairdressing originated from a barbershop that already existed around 1848 and has been continued by successive generations of the De Bruijn family ever since.