1879
The story of the steam syrup factory began in 1879. That year, the Wynants family bought land on Stationsstraat in Borgloon, where the syrup factory was established. In those years, syrup distilling evolved from a cottage industry to an industrial activity and syrup distilling was commercialized.
1900-1950
Thanks to the rise of steam power, among other things, it was now possible to distill syrup on a larger scale. In the first half of the 20th century, Borgloon grew into the center of syrup production.
1960
But the boom did not last. From 1960 onwards, many syrup distilleries in and around Borgloon started to struggle. The demand for syrup gradually decreased. Ultimately, by the end of the 1970s, only the Wynants syrup factory remained. 1988
However, the situation was no longer tenable and so all syrup distilling activities were also stopped here.
1999
A part of the syrup factory, including the technical installations, was protected as a monument in 1999.
2005
The city council of Borgloon purchased the steam syrup factory to prevent further decay. An agreement was made with the Bleus brothers to once again distill syrup in the syrup factory in a traditional way.
2006-2007
In 2006-2007, the Monumentenstrijd followed on TV channel Canvas. The Loonse syrup factory became the proud winner of this battle. Plans were quickly made to restore the site. A first round of restoration came with the renovation of the Loons square and the restoration of the chimney. 2017
The majority of the restoration started in February 2017. After an intense period of major works, we now have the pleasure of introducing visitors to the restored syrup factory and the fruit experience centre.