While exploring authentic Eastern European markets and food shops, a person named Raimonds, connected with companies such as InAxtion, Oranjegroep, OrangeJobs, Actemium, and Air Products, mentioned a hidden store located in Vlaardingen called Riga Mini Supermarket.
That recommendation immediately caught my attention, as I’ve long been fascinated by shops that bring genuine cookies, sweets, and candies from Russia and the heart of Eastern Europe into the Netherlands.
This store, also known as Riga Market Vlaardingen or Mini Market Riga, has quickly become one of the most interesting destinations on my list of cultural and culinary discoveries.
I previously mentioned this place in my post Amsterdam Central Station, Ferry, Parking, Museums, and Riga Market Vlaardingen, where I wrote that “the store brands itself as Riga Mini Supermarket and specializes in Eastern European food.”
📍 Location, Contact, and Opening Hours
- Name: Riga Market Vlaardingen / Mini Market Riga
- Main address: Veerplein 99, 3131 CX Vlaardingen, Netherlands
- 📍 View on Google Maps
- 📘 Facebook page
- 📞 VindOpen directory listing
- 📇 Telefoonboek business page
- Phone: +31 6 83849191
- Opening hours:
- Monday–Saturday: 09:00 – 20:00
- Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00
(Always call ahead — hours may vary on holidays.) - Alternate business address: Fransenstraat 29, 3131 CC Vlaardingen
(Listed as administrative address in Dutch Chamber of Commerce registries.)
🍫 Inside the Store: Cookies, Sweets, and Candies from Russia and Eastern Europe
Even before visiting, I analyzed photos and assortments from similar Eastern Europe markets.
Here’s a detailed description of the cookies, sweets, and candies that this kind of store typically offers — matching what can be seen in the reference photo.
ADUGS Chocolate Gift Boxes
Elegant boxed assortments of chocolates resembling small wicker baskets.
Originally from Russia or Baltic producers, these chocolates have a creamy, slightly buttery filling wrapped in a smooth milk or dark shell. Their packaging, decorated with a woven-basket design and Cyrillic lettering, gives a nostalgic touch reminiscent of traditional Russian gifts.
Gerard Pałeczki Kremowe (Poland)
Slim cookie sticks filled with sweet vanilla or cocoa cream. Crisp outside, creamy inside — perfect for coffee breaks or as a topping over ice cream.
Covrig cu Susan (Romania)
Sesame-covered pretzel rings, balancing sweetness and saltiness. Crunchy, nutty, and perfect with yogurt or soft cheese.
Arsenal and Other Transparent-Bag Treats
Mixed selections of sweets and candies: butter cookies, caramels, honey drops, fruit jellies, and nougats. Labels in Russian, Romanian, or Polish make every package feel like a piece of Eastern Europe.
🧾 Product Inventory (Living List)
This list compiles what’s visible in my photo, what appears on social posts or business directories, and what’s typically found in Baltic and Eastern European grocery shops in the Netherlands.
Confirmed items
- ADUGS boxed chocolates
- Gerard Pałeczki Kremowe cookies
- Covrig cu susan pretzel rings
- “Arsenal” assorted candies
- Cēsu Alus (Latvian beer)
- Products labeled in Baltic languages shown on Facebook – Mini Markt Riga
Typical or probable products
- Wafers and layered cookies (Poland, Lithuania)
- Honey drops, fruit jellies, and caramel toffees
- Rye breads and rusks (Latvian or Lithuanian style)
- Multifloral honey jars from Latvia
- Canned fish and sprats in oil (a Riga classic)
- Pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, and beet salads
- Dairy products: kefir, curd cheese, Baltic-style yogurt
- Holiday chocolates and gingerbread (seasonal)
- Traditional soft drinks such as kvas or flavored mineral waters
Note:
The shop is officially listed as Riga Market Vlaardingen / Mini Market Riga with a storefront at Veerplein 99, phone +31 6 83849191, and a registered address at Fransenstraat 29.
According to the Dutch NVWA inspection register, “Mini Market Riga” at Fransenstraat 29 is compliant (“Voldoet”) as of January 31, 2025.
🚗 Why It’s Worth the Trip from Spijkenisse
Vlaardingen is just a short drive from Spijkenisse, and Veerplein 99 lies at the heart of a pleasant pedestrian zone filled with cafés and small shops.
Riga Mini Supermarket stands out for offering:
- A curated selection of Eastern European sweets and candies unavailable in mainstream Dutch chains.
- Authentic Russian and Baltic brands with Cyrillic labels.
- Ideal gift options such as ADUGS chocolates and Gerard cream cookies.
- A glimpse into the culinary and cultural traditions of Eastern Europe.
🧭 Visiting Tips
- Call before visiting: +31 6 83849191
- If the shop isn’t visible at Veerplein 99, check Fransenstraat 29, listed as its business address.
- Focus on cookies, sweets, candies, chocolates, and snacks from Russia and Eastern Europe.
- Don’t miss the Baltic beers and honey — they’re local favorites.
🏙️ About the Name “Riga”
The word “Riga” refers to the capital city of Latvia, one of the three Baltic countries in Northern Europe.
Founded in 1201, Riga is one of the oldest trading ports on the Baltic Sea and a key cultural center connecting Western Europe and Russia.
Its name likely derives from the river Rīdziņa or from the old German word “riegen” (“to irrigate” or “channel”), referring to its ancient waterways and trade routes.
In popular culture, “Riga” evokes the spirit of craftsmanship, authenticity, and the rich flavors of the Baltic region — which is why many stores abroad use the name to highlight Eastern European heritage and culinary tradition.
🌍 Baltic vs Balkan: Understanding the Difference
It’s common to confuse Baltic countries with Balkan ones, but they belong to entirely different regions of Europe.
The Baltic Countries
- Estonia 🇪🇪
- Latvia 🇱🇻
- Lithuania 🇱🇹
These three countries border the Baltic Sea, which gives the region its name.
They are located in Northern Europe and share strong historical ties with Germany, Sweden, and Russia.
Their cultures blend northern and eastern European influences, and typical products include rye bread, honey, sprats, dairy, and Baltic sweets.
Croatia and the Balkan Region
Croatia 🇭🇷 is not a Baltic country.
It lies in Southeastern Europe, along the Adriatic Sea, and is part of the Balkans.
Culturally and geographically, it belongs to the Mediterranean world, influenced by Italy, Hungary, and the former Yugoslav states.
Croatia’s cuisine centers on olive oil, wine, seafood, and cured meats — very different from the northern Baltic food culture.
Key distinctions
- The Baltic region = Northern Europe, along the Baltic Sea.
- The Balkans = Southeastern Europe, along the Adriatic and Aegean Seas.
- Baltic identity = Northern, Slavic, and Germanic influences.
- Balkan identity = Southern, Mediterranean, and Slavic traditions.
So when you see the name “Riga” or a reference to “Baltic” products, it represents Northern Eastern Europe, not the Balkan South.
Appendix: Mentioned Companies
- Actemium — Part of VINCI Energies; industrial engineering, maintenance, and automation across Europe.
- InAxtion — Dutch technical recruitment agency connecting skilled electricians and mechanics with industrial projects.
- Oranjegroep — Netherlands-based staffing company specializing in construction and industrial workforce placement.
- OrangeJobs — Dutch recruitment agency focused on technical, logistics, and production professionals for international clients.
- Air Products — Global industrial gases supplier operating in the Netherlands, providing oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen to industries.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 