After 38 years, it's over: Christian Eberl (right) and his wife Marianne (2nd from right) close the butcher's shop at the end of June. Christian Eberl's father Johann and his wife Cäzilia had taken over the shop in 1985 and supported their son until the end. © Stefan Weinzierl
Inflation is claiming a prominent victim: In Höhenkirchen, the traditional butcher's shop Eberl is closing. There is no successor in sight.
Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn – Exploding energy costs, high purchase prices, rising insurance premiums and customers who have to look more and more at their money because of inflation: The economic situation for the traditional butcher's shop Eberl in Höhenkirchen has deteriorated so much in recent months that master butcher Christian Eberl is now pulling the ripcord: On June 30 of this year, he will close the family business at Rosenheimer Straße 10. A difficult step for the 42-year-old and a shock for customers. Because the district loses its only butcher.
Traditional butcher's shop has to close: electricity costs have tripled
"The decision wasn't easy for us, but at some point it won't work anymore," emphasizes the 41-year-old. He took over the business from his father Johann in 2009 and has always practiced his craft with pride and joy. Now rising operating costs combined with a decline in sales are bringing him to his knees. "The biggest problem is the cost of electricity," explains Christian Eberl. Since the electricity provider terminated the contract negotiated with the butchers' association, the monthly electricity costs have tripled – from 2700 to around 8000 euros. The aid decided by the Federal Government, on the other hand, is only now coming. "It's too late for us," he says.
Of course, some of the higher operating costs were passed on to customers. "But at some point a limit is reached," says Christian Eberl. "If you can't make a living from the business anymore, but have to put money into it, it doesn't work anymore," adds his wife Marianne (38), who supports him in the butcher's shop. Christian Eberl's parents, Cäzilia and Johann Eberl, both of whom are already of retirement age, are still working in the family business.
There has been a butcher's shop in the village for almost 140 years
In 1985, they leased the butcher's shop, which has existed in the village for almost 140 years, and developed a customer base that goes far beyond Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn and the surrounding communities. "We even have customers who come from Munich," says Christian Eberl proudly.
Point of attraction: Customers even come from Munich to the Eberl butcher's shop in Rosenheimer Straße in Höhenkirchen. © Stefan Weinzierl
The clientele appreciates the fact that the company has always attached great importance to regional products and that 98 percent of the sausages are produced in-house. "We kept trying out new things to stand out from the crowd," says the 41-year-old. The reward is not only loyal customers, but also regular awards from the Bavarian Butchers' Association. With the lunch menu and the party service, the family business has been able to further increase its attractiveness.
Over 100 types of sausage offered at peak times
At peak times, the butcher's shop employed 21 people, and the Eberl family offered around 100 types of sausage. Despite all the success, social responsibility has not been forgotten. For example, the Eberls regularly donated sausage products to the food bank – and trained at least one apprentice per year. "We even had apprentices from Namibia, Jamaica and Russia," recalls Johann Eberl. In the meantime, butchers, on the other hand, are struggling with staff shortages – be it butchers or specialist saleswomen.
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For this reason, it is also questionable whether a successor can be found for the store. Christian Eberl, who is a board member of the butchers' guild and an examiner at the Chamber of Commerce, does not yet know exactly what his professional future will look like. He doesn't necessarily want to continue working as a butcher, but in any case he wants to remain loyal to the food industry. "I've put out feelers in different directions," he says, optimistic about the future.
Butcher's family thanks loyal customers as they bid farewell
Unlike many of its customers. They regret the end of the butcher's shop. "Older ladies also regularly come to us in the shop and scold us about what we can think of suddenly quitting," says the master butcher. "They then ask me where they should go in the future. But I can't tell them that either." To this end, he wants to express his appreciation to them and all other customers, the companies and local associations as well as the community for the upcoming farewell: "Me and my family are infinitely grateful for the many years of support we have received here."
By the way: Everything from the region can also be found in our regular district Munich newsletter.
