Katrin Rödl and her brother Florian Krempl have leased the Kreuzeckhaus above Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
When they decided to do this, nobody had talked about Corona.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- One signature.
Katrin Rödl and Florian Krempl gave themselves this gift for Christmas.
On December 24, 2019, they signed the lease for the Kreuzeckhaus.
From winter 2020/21 they would be the new hosts in the Kreuzeckhaus above Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The world didn't talk about Corona back then.
But - Katrin Rödel thinks about it for a moment, then says: “We would have done it anyway.” After all, the siblings made a promise.
It was agreed over a beer: You apply for the DAV house
The two of them sat together over a beer, so they made it up: If Barbara Bokor and her husband Stephan quit, they'll apply to the Alpine Club for a successor.
At some point.
The two hadn't expected that it would all come so quickly.
Florian Krempl (30) was “speechless at first” when his sister arrived with the message: Applications are now being accepted.
He swallowed.
After all, that would be a big deal.
The Kreuzeckhaus with day-to-day business in summer and winter, as well as overnight stays, offers 115 beds.
But he kept his word.
And the two convinced the DAV section Garmisch-Partenkirchen with their application.
For a long time, Katrin Rödl (32), a trained florist, dreamed of starting her own business, opening a small café in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
"Only there are enough of them," she thought.
She wanted something special.
“You have to leave a footprint.” She didn't want to run one café among many.
But the Kreuzeckhaus is unique.
She had long been in love with the mountain scenery.
Krempl as a member of the mountain rescue service, whose service hut is right below the DAV accommodation.
New lounge with bar and Bullerjan in the basement
So far, he only knew the Kreuzeckhaus as a customer; his sister worked there for three and a half years, first as a service assistant on the weekends, then full-time.
So she found out that her boss was thinking about retiring.
And then convinced her brother over a beer that "that would be exactly ours".
In autumn Barbara Bokor retired after ten years as landlady.
Simply because it was time.
In winter Katrin Rödl and Florian Krempl took over.
They used the time when the Kreuzeckhaus was closed for renovation work.
For example, they renovated an apartment for Rödl and her small family around husband Thomas and daughter Sophia - she will be two in April.
They also set up a lounge with a bar in the basement.
So far it has not been used, Rödl and Krempl put a Bullerjan stove in it, had two corner seats built and decorated.
"So that it is really cozy," says Rödl.
For example for the ski touring evenings or the overnight guests, if they are allowed to come.
Kiosk alleviates worries and stomach pains in the corona season
The two currently use the room as a kiosk and sell sausages, soups, Kaiserschmarrn and beverages to take away.
Everything was corona compliant, that was checked.
They are often asked whether this is worthwhile.
The answer - a matter of definition.
They make no profit.
“But it helps that the pile of debt doesn't get any bigger,” says Rödl.
Helps make your stomach ache a little more bearable when the bills for electricity, water and the like come every month.
“The kiosk is saving us right now,” says Krempl, who previously worked as the coordinator of the DSV ski watch in winter, and in summer he was employed by a brewery.
In this first season, which is going so very differently than planned, he at least gains something positive: It gives both of them the chance to familiarize themselves.
“It's a humane start,” affirms his sister.
And once again what she already knew was confirmed: "We are a good team."
Both see themselves as boss and boss who lend a hand - wherever there is work and help is needed.
When it comes to serving, pouring, washing up, cleaning, cooking, baking - "the nut corners are the best," says Rödl.
The siblings have respect for their new task.
But above all, they look forward to it.
"Once everything goes normally," says Krempl.
Without corona.
With many guests.
Just like the two gave each other for Christmas in 2019.
The Kreuzeckhaus kiosk
is open from Friday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are take-away meals and drinks.