End of the gallery Naughty - another Starnberg shop is closing

Created: 01/21/2022, 13:05

By: Laura Forster

Heidi Roschat describes the pictures and sculptures that she exhibits in her gallery Unartig in a cheeky and erotic way.

However, the store must be vacated by the end of April.

The woman from Starnberg can no longer afford the rent.

© Andrea Jaksch

Now it has hit the next shop in Starnberg: Heidi Roschat has to close her art gallery Unartig on Hanfelder Straße at the end of April.

The rent increase of 500 euros is no longer affordable for the 67-year-old.

Corona has drained them.

Starnberg – Every corner of the Unartig gallery in the pavilion on Hanfelder Strasse in Starnberg is still full of pictures, sculptures and small gifts. A skin-colored chair with woman's legs and high heels stands in front of the window, drawings of naked bodies hang on the wall and various bronze sculptures stand on the shelves. In a few weeks, however, the treasures must be gone - either sold, stored or set up in a new shop. Heidi Roschat (67), owner of the gallery, has to give up her heart project. The 67-year-old can no longer afford the rent that the new homeowner demands.

"It's just cruel," says Roschat, who opened the gallery four years ago. “In August my landlords sold the pavilions to an investor. Shortly thereafter, a letter fluttered into my house.” The content: Roschat's contract expires at the end of April, but she can sign a new contract. However, this is subject to conditions, and the monthly rent will also increase by 500 euros. “I would have had to renovate the pavilion, replace the awnings and paint the windows. 10,000 to 15,000 euros are gone quickly,” says the Starnberg resident. Money she doesn't currently have. In addition, the new owner is demanding the payment of around 7,000 euros in rent arrears. "During Corona, the previous landlords gave me a rent waiver," says Roschat. "I didn't make any sales for a few months.The investor is now asking me to pay these costs.”

Gallery owner Heidi Roschat still remembers the early days in the pavilion

Heidi Roschat has tried several times to contact the new owner, invited him to her gallery and asked for a compromise.

"No one came by and no one tried to find a solution.

I could have somehow paid 200 to 300 euros more rent per month, but 500 euros is not possible.

It's important that I don't overdo it financially and take out an extra loan."

The 67-year-old would have liked to continue running the gallery for a few more years. “I can still remember when I opened,” she says. She had just finished her career as a psychotherapist and wanted to do something artistic and creative. “I didn't want my retirement to be marred by other people's problems. I have always been interested in art and got deeper insights from my former partner, a gallery owner in Munich.”

Initially, the Starnbergers were somewhat skeptical about the sculptures and pictures on display.

"It was too cheeky and erotic for some," says Roschat.

Over time, however, interest in the small gallery increased.

"I have a few regular customers who even come from Weilheim and further afield," says the 67-year-old, who also exhibits works by artists from the region.

"Whenever people come into my shop or look into the shop window and smile, my heart beats." Above all, Heidi Roschat will miss talking shop with customers and art lovers.

"I love the exchange with others."

Roschat wants a successor for Galerie Unartig in Starnberg

The Starnberg resident is not yet sure how exactly things will continue. What is certain, however, is that it cannot hold the gallery in the pavilion. "Either I can find affordable space, which is unlikely, or I'll start selling now and put the rest away." A third option she would prefer is a new tenant to continue running the gallery. "If an enthusiastic art fan would take over the business, that would be great." Especially in view of the shops dying in Starnberg.

After the Schuh Linse family business and the Schwarzmann gallery, Unartig would be the third store to close in a short period of time.

"It's a shame that so much is empty in Starnberg," says Heidi Roschat.

"It's not attractive and doesn't encourage shopping." She hopes that the city will follow Weilheim's example.

"There are many small cafés and boutiques there." lf