Hans Breukhoven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hans Breukhoven
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Breukhoven in February 2009
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| Born |
Johannes Arie Breukhoven
31 October 1946 Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
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| Died | 20 January 2017 (aged 70) London, England, UK
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder and president of Free Record Shop |
Johannes Arie "Hans" Breukhoven (born October 31, 1946 – died January 20, 2017) was a Dutch businessman. He was best known for starting and leading the company Free Record Shop. This was a popular chain of stores that sold music, movies, and games.
Hans Breukhoven was born in Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands. He was a father of five children. A business magazine called Quote once estimated his wealth to be around €93 million.
Hans Breukhoven's Early Life and Career
After finishing secondary school, Hans Breukhoven trained to become a steward. A steward is like a host or server on a ship or airplane. He worked for two and a half years as a host on the Holland America Line. This was a company that operated large ships.
Starting the Free Record Shop
On October 15, 1971, Hans Breukhoven opened his very first Free Record Shop. This store was located in Schiedam, a town in the Netherlands. The Free Record Shop became very successful. By 2008, the company had grown a lot. There were 182 Free Record Shops in the Netherlands. They also had 66 shops in Belgium.
Besides the Free Record Shop, Hans Breukhoven was also involved in other businesses. He was a major shareholder in SnowWorld NV. This company operates indoor ski slopes.
Hans Breukhoven passed away on January 20, 2017, in London, England. He died after a long illness.
