It’s been quite a while since I started my Sunday type walks. What began as a simple stroll through the city—my only free day as a self-employed graphic designer—quickly became a way to move, clear my head, and indulge my long-standing fascination with typography in all its forms. Whenever I arrive in a new city, I instinctively take a type walk; the streets are full of hidden typographic gems, waiting to be discovered. By the summer of 2021, I began organizing the Sunday Type Walks for others who wanted to see the city through this slightly different lens.

Of course, I’m not the only one doing this. Many graphic designers around the world, whether in their own city or abroad, share the same love for lettering and typography.

In 2021, I was pleasantly surprised when Stepan, who runs Bookish Talk on the iBookBinding podcast, invited me to discuss my “unhealthy” fascination with public lettering. For those unfamiliar, iBookBinding explores book arts and book history. I’m grateful to Stepan and Pyotr for letting me share the story of my type walks in Ghent and beyond.

Then, in 2023, I was honored to be featured in Pressing Matters magazine, detailing my typographic journey through Ghent—the city I moved to 20 years ago as a student, and where I immediately felt at home. Thank you, John, for giving me space to share my passion for the city. For anyone interested in printmaking, Pressing Matters is a must-read, offering intimate insights into artists’ creative processes, sketchbooks, and prints made across a variety of techniques and mediums.

Today, I try to share my typographic discoveries weekly on Instagram, though I’ll admit there are occasional gaps. Even after all these years, and despite thinking I knew the city by heart, Ghent continues to fascinate me. Lately, however, I’ve noticed change. Signage I used to pass on my weekly walks has disappeared—some removed, others overpainted. Capturing these changes has become a new layer to my type walks, revealing not just letters, but the stories—and the subtle losses—behind them.

And now… it’s time for the next walk.

Tierelantijntje. From Lace to Lunch: The Changing Story of Kraanlei 33.

Date: 2011 & 2025
Info: At Kraanlei 33 in Ghent, there once was a shop that many locals remember with affection. The shop had an elegantly painted name on the façade (have no idea though you painted it), the kind that made you slow down and look twice. The photo above was taken back in 2011, when the place was still a beloved Ghent landmark: Tierelantijntje.

Tierelantijntje closed its doors in 2014, marking the end of an era. The curtain fell when owner Jetje Baert retired at the age of 83. Jetje, the widow of a Flemish radio and television presenter Nand Baert (1932 - 1985), had run the shop for years, filling it with beautiful old lace and traditional handicrafts. Some of the pieces dated back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the christening gowns in particular were true works of art. Tierelantijntje wasn’t just a shop—it felt like a small museum of craftsmanship and history.

Although Tierelantijntje disappeared as a shop, its spirit lingered on. In 2018, Jetje’s granddaughter, Pauline Vyncke, breathed new life into the space by opening Café Jetje, known for its cozy atmosphere and delightful homemade local dishes, a loving tribute to her grandmother. The name alone carried a sense of continuity, connecting past and present in a very personal way with facade has been repainted while keeping the letters ‘j’, ‘t’, ‘j’ & ‘e’ in its original state.

Fast forward to 2025, and another transition took place when Pauline decided to close the caf’. Today, Tierelantijntje/Jetje has entered a brand-new era. The façade has been overpainted, and the address is now home to Panotto, Ghent’s Italian sandwich shop specializing in schiacciata—an Italian flatbread.
Address: Kraanlei 33, 9000 Gent

While the shopfront has changed over the years, Tierelantijntje remains an important part of the story of Kraanlei 33—a reminder of how Ghent’s streets are shaped by the people and businesses that pass through them.

to be continued…

you might also like
Sunday type walk in Pressing Matters magazine
Sunday type walks in Bookish Talks by iBookBinding
Follow my Sunday type walks on Instagram