In 1860 C&A opens its first retail store with regular opening hours in the Dutch town of Sneek. Although it has operated a warehouse in Sneek ever since the company was established in 1841, this is only open to customers on market days (Tuesdays) and at weekends. Founders Clemens (1818–1902) and August (1819–1892) Brenninkmeijer spend most of their time travelling to see their clientele, to whom they sell their goods direct. The ban on doorstep selling imposed in the late 18th century by the province of Frisia, however, and the political reforms encouraging freedom of trade as from beginning of the 19th century, lead to the abandoning of itinerant trade and the establishing of businesses in towns. The present photograph, which shows the first C&A shop in Sneek, goes back to an original from 1893 and is taken from an album compiled in 1931 for the 80th birthday of second-generation family member Joseph Gerhard Brenninkmeijer (1819–1892). The album contains photographs of other stores in the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain.