Meet Barenz’s new owner: Kym Van Den Heuvel

A new dawn is rising on Camden institution Barenz, with a 22-year-old university student and former bartender emerging as the new face of the business. Find out why he is “not concerned in the slightest” about his young age.

New owner of Camden institution Barenz, Kym Van Den Heuvel. Picture: Robert Pozo

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A new dawn is rising on Camden institution Barenz, with a 22-year-old university student and former bartender emerging as the new face of the business.

The future of the popular establishment was uncertain late last year after the previous management placed it into voluntary administration.

Kym Van Den Heuvel says his age won’t be a barrier.

New owner Kym Van Den Heuvel has now completed a startling rise from teenage bartender to business owner, all while juggling a double degree at Western Sydney University.

The former Macarthur Anglican School student told the Chronicle that buying Barenz had a sense of “right time, right place”.

“I guess at some point the thought had crossed my mind that I would like to start a restaurant or own and run my own bar,” Mr Van Den Heuvel said.

“This opportunity came at the right time for myself to jump in … it essentially confirmed my aspirations to go into the hospitality industry as a full-time career.”

Barenz has been a popular nightspot in recent years.

Barenz’s new owner is looking forward to a bright future for the business.

Mr Van Den Heuvel, who is studying a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science, said despite the recent financial uncertainty which triggered the sale of the business, he was certain Barenz has a “long and prosperous future”.

“I believe Barenz has a very strong and good reputation in terms of the service we provide,” he said.

“As time goes on I would like to implement my own mark — better food, better drinks, better service — and freshen the atmosphere as well but, in saying that, there won’t be a drastic change.

“None of this would be possible without my parents, they have been such a massive support.”

The new owner, who has about 37 staff on the books, said he was not concerned in the slightest about his young age.

“I don’t feel it is going to hold me back at all,” Mr Van Den Heuvel said.

“I don’t see my age as a barrier to succeeding here at Barenz. At the end of the day, it’s the passion which drives it, not the age.”