I was dismayed to hear that Christiane Rateitschak, née Kühn, the fifth-generation owner of Firma Fritz Kühn, had said in confidence: ‘I want to part with the houses.’
What had happened?
It was still cold outside. The last days of winter. Winter brings the lowest sales of the year. Few people visit Havelberg's oldest shop. Yet the heating still has to run. Whatever the price of gas. And that was rising. Everything was rising. Costs. Fees. Bureaucracy. Waiting times. Except in the shop: there was no queue there. Anyone who braved the wind and weather was served straight away. Sometimes they stayed for a chat and a chance to warm up.
A large old house can be a joy, but also a burden. What do you do when your family and children are busy with careers of their own? She was responsible for her two employees and herself. For paying taxes, fees, insurance, servicing and maintenance on time. All funded by the shop's takings. There had been no rental income for a long time. The flats above the shop had stood empty for years, some for decades.
A backlog of investment? Yes.
A substantial one. Something that could be fixed quickly on a shoestring?
Out of the question.
Sell, to lift the whole burden — only briefly outlined here out of consideration? Yes, an option.
But what happens when you are no longer in charge of your own home? What becomes of the shop? Where will Mama Kühn, the fourth generation, live?
‘You mustn't sell,’ I said.
What sort of advice had I given? You mustn't sell. What would become of the shop? This shop that features on almost every guided tour of the town!
The worries and difficulties faced by people running a shop in a small German town in 2025 are far greater than any of us imagine.
Selling at the right time can be such a release. On your own terms. Lifting a burden that has grown heavier year after year.
On the other hand: what happens next? What would a buyer do with the business? With Mama Kühn's living quarters? With the history?
Havelberg has dozens of stories of houses sold in similar circumstances. Alongside the success stories, you can plainly see houses that have been sold, sometimes several times, yet continued to deteriorate.
Is it reasonable to worry that a new owner might treat the house differently from the way you would yourself?
After several conversations came the words: ‘Then you'll just have to buy it.’
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I enjoy walking through Havelberg's streets. Looking up at the houses and admiring them. Mostly admiring them.
I have walked past these merchants' houses so often, and stepped into both shops. And yes, I love this group of buildings. But buy them? With what money? To what end?
People like doing things for the joy of it. But people also do things to avoid pain. The second motivation is stronger than the first. Feel free to discuss that with me when we meet in person. 😉 I have a good example for you.
‘Then you'll just have to buy it …’ had not been a carefully considered remark, and neither was my reply. It came from a situation that needed a way forward. The words had been spoken. The seed was planted.
Days passed.
Wasn't it a great honour?
Wasn't it a dream to be offered the chance to buy these venerable buildings?
That honour meant passing a host of worries on to another person. No — on to me! It meant my life was about to change considerably.
Finding the purchase price is one thing. Quite another are the almost impossible-to-estimate costs that follow, the time, the organisation and the strain on your nerves.
Fortunately, I neither knew nor fully suspected what lay ahead. But challenges in other parts of my life had already taught me:
‘No more will be placed on your shoulders than you are able to carry.’
Apparently my shoulders are broader than they look. Christiane and I reached an agreement, which also meant:
The promise
A secure future for Firma Fritz Kühn in both shops, and a lifelong right of residence for her mother.
This is very good news for our town, its residents and its visitors. Its oldest shop will remain in its familiar home at Steinstraße 4–5.
I thank Christiane from the bottom of my heart for the energy and kindness she has shown every day since taking over the business from her father, Fritz Kühn. I also thank her for her constant support and thoughtful input as we renovate the rooms above the shops.
You will discover what takes shape there in future entries.
My heart holds that same joy and love for these historic houses. Houses that, with the passing of the baton, are now my family's responsibility.
Thank you for taking an interest in their future. If you would like to make a small contribution, please share this article and keep shopping at Firma Fritz Kühn.