Gerrit Willem Westendorp

Gerrit Willem Westendorp was born on 18 March 1915 in Aalten. He was associated with the Aalten bicycle wholesaler G.W. Westendorp & Zoon at Lichtenvoordsestraatweg 22, a business that not only traded in bicycles and parts but also assembled bicycles itself.

Bicycle wholesaler

The Westendorp bicycle trade is already visible in sources from before the present commercial building was constructed. Barend Westendorp is recorded in the 1910–1920 population register as a bicycle dealer; the 1934 directory lists him at the later business address. In 1967, G.W. Westendorp Jr. is listed there. The lettering on the façade gives the company name and activities: wholesaler in bicycles and parts, with import and export.

Westa bicycles

Westendorp assembled bicycles under the Westa brand name. In the 1970s, frames were among the parts supplied by Van Raam, which was also based in Aalten at the time. Advertisements from 1976 show that Westa bicycles were sold as a brand beyond Aalten as well, including women’s bicycles and the Westa Eurosport model.

G.W. Westendorp & Son was therefore more than a local bicycle shop: the company combined wholesale trade, import and export with its own assembly operation and brand name.

A prominent commercial building

The substantial brick premises on Lichtenvoordsestraatweg were built in 1923. At the end of the Second World War the building temporarily served as an emergency hospital. After the business closed, it was converted into flats in 1993, while retaining its main form and historic façade lettering.

Death

Gerrit Willem Westendorp died on 27 April 1981, aged 66. He was buried in the Old Cemetery on Varsseveldsestraatweg in Aalten, grave number 0435.