The Ramaker Story

Posted by Cody Seguin on

Henry & Eve Ramaker immigrated from Holland 2 weeks after they were married. They landed in Montreal where they stayed for 1 year and then moved to St. Catharines. Henry began his retail career at Dominion Grocery Store where he worked his way up from box boy to eventually store manager. Henry was with the company for 16 years in total, all the while wanting to be his own boss someday.
Finally, in 1975, he learned that the dutch store on Vine St. in St. Catharines was for sale. Mom &
dad sat my brothers and me down and asked if this is something that we would also like to do. Of course, we as kids loved the idea! Who wouldn’t? All of the dutch goodies that we had grown up with at our fingertips…available to us at any time.
Ramaker’s Imports was born in October of 1975. This was a family-owned and operated
business. Henry ran his business with his whole heart and soul, treating all of his customers like family. And most of them are still shopping here today. He instilled a work ethic in us that goes on today…45 years later. In 1985 Ramakers moved to its location of 579 Ontario St. in St. Catharines, where we are to this day.
There have been many changes over the years, but we are still a family run business with me,
Linde and husband Ernie in ownership and Henry Jr and wife Lisa giving it there all. We also have long time employees all the while having fun and lots of laughs along the way.
We hope to be here for many more years to continue serving our customers in the ways that
our father has taught us! Come in for a visit… tell a few stories… sign our guest book and make our day!
- Linde Ramaker-Hildebrand

6 comments


  • My husband John Ramak immigrated in 1952 from Leiden. Interesting name you have.😊

    Wilma Ramak on

  • How nice to read your story. We arrived from Amsterdam in 1951 and spent 30 years in Montreal before moving to Toronto. There was a Dutch store in downtown Toronto, but it closed. Many years and 17 international moves later we came to the Niagara region and last week we were driving in St Catharines and I couldn’t believe my eyes! Dutch goods! Can’t wait to visit you and buy up all sorts of Dutch goods which I won’t have to make myself!
    Cheers, Paulette

    Paulette Kennedy on

  • I worked with Henry for a number of years at Dominion Store, Pen Centre. He was a wonderful boss. I’ve been shopping at your store since Mr Ramaker opened it. Thanks for keeping up the tradition!

    Debbie Winfield on

  • Thank you so much for telling us your story! I immigrated to Canada (from Holland) in 1969 with my parents and 6 month old brother. I was 3 at that time. I am so thankful to have Ramakers Imports to go to to shop for Dutch and Dutch-Indo food stuffs. It is like having a little piece of Holland right in my back yard.
    p.s. My mom was Dutch Indonesian so the Indo food/spices you sell at your store, have a special meaning to me. Thank you for all the years of wonderful customer service! I look forward to my next visit!
    Kaidjah Profijt

    Kaidjah Profijt on

  • Beste familie,
    Ik herken dit verhaal. Henk en Eef zijn familie van mijn vader. Weet nog dat ze geëmigreerd zijn en ook nog een keer op bezoek bij mijn ouders zijn geweest in Den Haag toen ze in Nederland met vakantie waren. Ze hadden toen 2 kleine kinderen. Zijn ze nog in leven en hoe is het met hun kinderen?
    Hartelijke groet, Wil Orta- Brill, Zoetermeer , Holland

    Wil Orta on

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