Talkin.nl

UE == Urban Exploration ;)

This is the first photo from a series taken at the old Droste Factory, Haarlem. I have been 'documenting' one of the abandoned buildings together with Jasper (photo.shoq.com), who would probably show his shots on his own site anytime soon.

Some info about Droste (© droste.nl):
The confectionery business of Gerardus Johannes Droste opened in Haarlem in the summer of 1863. Customers could buy a cup of waterchocolate and various types of candy, for example chocolate pastilles, officially called 'Pastilles Droste'.
Since 1891 Droste had been able to allocate the complete chocolate process in-house. The cocoa beans were stored in the loft, while sales took place in the retail store. This continued until 1946. Because of a lack of room, the factory was relocated to the Noorder Buiten Spaarne in 1891. It was in this plant were the production of cocoa and chocolate started. This waterside location was very favourable for Droste, enabling the delivery of raw materials and the transport of finished products by boat.
More than 800 people were employed in the cocoa and chocolate factory at the Spaarne by the year 1930.