Dachau - After the Wittmann bookstore in the old town will soon close after many decades and only the second-hand bookshop will remain open, many book lovers feared that they would then either have to order online or drive further away to pick up a book .
Just take a stroll by, browse, leaf through, read - no result?
No, all of this and much more is possible in Dachau from the end of September!
Then Corinna Hegener and Sebastian von Gersdorff open the “Subtext” bookstore in the rooms of the former fountain pharmacy on Sparkassenplatz in Dachau.
“We want to cover the entire breadth of books - from children's books to fiction, as well as crime novels, philosophy or poetry,” the two booksellers promise.
For the first time in Dachau, there will also be e-book readers for sale in a bookstore, for “digitally savvy readers”, as Sebastian von Gersdorff emphasizes.
E-books can be downloaded from the homepage at www.buchhandlung-subtext.de from the beginning of June.
From then on you can order books online and have them delivered to your home.
The service will also remain when the rooms, which are currently being renovated by the Sparkasse as the landlord, are ready for occupancy.
“We think it's great that the Sparkasse is renovating especially for us, we're even allowed to have a say,” rave the two trained booksellers, who are bubbling over with ideas and can't wait to open.
Author readings planned
Just selling books - that alone is not enough for the two Dachauers.
There will be a cozy corner for reading and reading books, selected gift items as well as stationery, postcards and “bibliophile treasures” that are to be displayed in a special showcase.
“We want to have an open character and also become a cultural hub in Dachau,” von Gersdorff plans together with his colleague.
The two booksellers want to take advantage of the fact that Dachau “has a lot to offer culturally anyway”. In the "Subtext" they plan a wide variety of events in which they also want to involve schools or theater associations. Readings and reading nights are planned, and various authors should also be regular guests in the “Subtext”. "There are many good writers living in the greater Munich area," says von Gersdorff, who trained as a bookseller in Munich 15 years ago and has been working in the field ever since.
To become self-employed was a “lifelong dream” for him.
The only thing missing so far was the right opportunity, the right location.
When he met Corinna Hegener through a mutual acquaintance, it was already clear after a short conversation: “We'll do it!” They have the same interests and “want to be committed to the matter,” says Corinna Hegener.
The 60-year-old is still employed at the Wittmann bookstore until it closes and wanted "that there is still a bookstore in Dachau," she describes her motivation.
The first meeting with the 34-year-old von Gersdorff ended with a "high five", and they quickly agreed on the details.
Lots of supporters for the project
But opening a bookstore in Corona times, can that work?
“We met open ears everywhere,” says Hegener, describing the situation when she told people around her about her plans.
Her business partner also experienced it that way.
The two are happy to have many supporters for their project - both privately and financially.
"We believe in books and in a life after Corona, and we believe that it will go well," is the credo of the two business founders.
And if you look into the shining eyes of the two when they talk about their new bookstore and their idea, you will immediately believe it.
And is looking forward to the opening at least as much as the two Dachau residents.
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