Rottenbucher Kunstcafé am Tor closes - now a successor is being sought
Created: 09/02/2022, 16:00
By: Elena Siegl
Lena Kaufmann-Friedberger has put her heart and soul into running the Kunstcafé am Tor in Rottenbuch for the past twelve years.
Now she is looking for a successor.
Successor wanted © Siegl
Lena Kaufmann-Friedberger ran the Kunstcafé am Tor for twelve years.
With a lot of heart.
Nevertheless, it is now time for them to pull the emergency brake.
Rottenbuch – There were two main things that prompted Lena Kaufmann-Friedberger to close her art café at the gate in Rottenbuch: Firstly, the desire to have more time for her family and to be more flexible in her free time.
The first years of her two daughters, now eight and four years old, "just rushed past" Kaufmann-Friedberger, as she says.
"It was time to pull the emergency brake."
Corona was also decisive for her decision.
It was probably the same for most restaurateurs: over many years they had built something up with a lot of effort, but suddenly “nothing was in their own hands anymore.” Sales were snatched away.
The ever smoldering thoughts of what is to come gnawed at her.
"Corona took a lot of motivation and joy from me." And in combination with family life, Kaufmann-Friedberger made the decision that the café, which she loved to run with a lot of passion, shouldn't be the most important thing in her life.
Art café at the gate closes: Lena Kaufmann-Friedberger did not want to let the staff down
As a first step, she gave up the associated pension in 2020.
The rooms are now rented out.
It was still difficult for her to turn her back on the café.
The feeling of letting down her employees – “the best people can have” – weighed on her.
After all, they stood by her even during the difficult Corona period and stayed.
"I am very happy and glad that I had her by my side for many years." And also that everyone has now found good accommodation elsewhere.
“A fresh start for everyone.
Maybe that's a good thing," says Kaufmann-Friedberger.
She herself would like to work in a creative field and get something back on its feet, she says.
Anyone who has such a job offer is welcome to contact her.
Although she would like to have more time for her children and her husband, wants to "spontaneously decide on Friday" to go away for the weekend and wants a hobby - things that have often been neglected in recent years - she doesn't want to be around them stay at home.
But work again.
However, no longer be so tied to a café.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Schongau newsletter.)
Gastronomy in Rottenbuch should be preserved
Gastronomy had been in operation in the building in the center of Rottenbuch since 1956.
Kaufmann-Friedberger took over the café twelve years ago.
The project of the then 26-year-old was viewed with envy by many, she recalls.
She wanted to show that a café where everyone is welcome and which integrates art and culture does not only work in the city.
She invited people to various events two to three times a month.
The concept worked.
Since it became known that she will close her café, she has received a wave of understanding and sadness from the population.
"I did not expect that.
But it's very nice and I'm very happy," says Kaufmann-Friedberger.
It is important to her that the rooms of the café continue to be used for gastronomic purposes.
She is currently looking for a successor.
A few interested parties have already inquired.
Kaufmann-Friedberger hopes that she will be able to present a new innkeeper to Rottenbuchers and all café visitors on her last day of operation on October 15th.
And the people who have been loyal to her for years also give the new innkeeper a fair chance.
"Without guests, gastronomy doesn't work." Thanks to Corona, many people now appreciate being able to eat out again.
It shouldn't get any easier for hosts in the near future.
"Everything is getting more expensive, restaurateurs have to pass on the prices." She hopes for her successor
Farewell day:
Lena Kaufmann-Friedberger will open the Kunstcafé am Tor for the last time on
Saturday, October 15
.
In the morning there is a white sausage breakfast and the "Gruaber Buam" from Uffing make music.
Kurzweil performs in the afternoon and the Know-It-All Blues Band in the evening.
Everything without tickets, just drop by.
You can find more current news from the region around Schongau at Merkur.de/Schongau.
