After years operating under the name Samdam Retail, we will now continue under the name where it all began: Arijs.
Same passion. Same people. A refreshed online shop.
Behind the scenes, we are building arijs.be, a place where you will soon shop online just like in our stores.
Until it’s ready, we continue to support you as always here on samdamretail.be and in our store in Aalst.
What started as a small workshop in Aalst in 1926 grew into a warm family business and a modern specialty store of nearly 990 m². Together with you, we go:
to school,
to work,
on trips,
through life.
In 2026, Arijs will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a new brand, fresh identity, and updated webshop ready for the future.
Behind the new look are the same promises we’ve kept for four generations:
quality, personalized service, and a carefully selected range of trusted brands.
The story of Arijs begins in 1926, when Mauritz Arijs and his wife Maria De Winter open a small workshop in Aalst. They produce saddles, belts and leather goods, using leather from the Schotte tannery.
When Mauritz passes away at a young age, Maria keeps the business alive through sheer perseverance. She continues running the workshop, even during the 2nd world war, when she makes basjen (tarpaulins) to survive.
With their daughter Cecile Arijs and her husband Jozef D'haese, the business is given its name: Arijs Lederwaren.
The store moves to the Houtmarkt, the assortment expands, and the family story continues.
Arijs grows further with the acquisition of the Ganterie Gaston Samdam stores.
In the 1990s, Arijs takes part in the Aalst Carnival advertising parade.
During our "droi zotte daugen", the slogan rings out:
"Go on a journey with a suitcase from Arijs!"
Since 2015, Wim and Hilde have been at the helm.
They expanded the store in Aalst to nearly 990 m² of shopping pleasure.
A place where you are still genuinely helped in a personal way by our team, with an eye for quality and style.
Until a very advanced age, grandmother Cecile Arijs (also known as Mimi) continued to convince customers in the store of the quality of our bags.
Her energy and love for the craft remain our inspiration.
In 2026, we celebrate our 100 year anniversary.
We mark this milestone with a new branding, a fresh visual identity and a renewed webshop, ready for the future.
Behind this new look lies the same promise we have kept for four generations:
Because when you walk into Arijs, you are not just stepping into a store.
You are stepping into a life story.
Our webshop will be renamed arijs.be, a name fitting our history and our store in Aalst. It will be faster, mobile-friendly, and easier to navigate.
Our stores
Our team
Our service and quality
Our personal approach
We don’t have an exact date yet. To stay up to date with the new site, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
