As of: February 29, 2024, 8:14 p.m
By: Joshua Eibl
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The village shop in Untermerzbach, Franconia, in the Haßberge district has been around since 2011.
But now the business is threatened with extinction.
The operators appeal to the residents.
Untermerzbach – The village shop has meant salvation for many a community.
For older people in particular, these places not only often act as the only shopping opportunity, but also as social meeting places.
Now a Franconian village shop as the heart of the village community is on the verge of extinction.
“Mio” village shop in Franconia: volunteers run the business
The village shop in Untermerzbach in the Haßberge district has been around since 2011.
The shop “Mitten im Ort, Mio for short” was created “out of the desire to create a shopping opportunity in the village again after a relatively long time, after the bakery and Edeka closed about ten years ago,” explains managing director Wolfgang Beringer
inFranken.de
.
The wish became reality through a GmbH and Co. KG with the municipality as a shareholder.
Since then, the business has been run by volunteers.
With the Mio we have managed to set up a local supplier that stocks everyday goods.
It is also a post office and lottery acceptance point, according to the Haßberge district website.
The team also offers a breakfast service, transport services and special and club orders in the store.
But now the crises are also making themselves felt in Untermerzbach, the store is in a worrying economic situation.
A Franconian village shop is threatened with closure.
(Symbolic image) © IMAGO/imageBROKER/Manfred Bail
Franconian village shop urgently needs customers: “Every euro counts”
According to Beringer, the village shop ran smoothly for a long time until Corona, inflation and a shortage of skilled workers hit the German economy and did not stop at the small town.
The village shop was in the red for the first time in 2022, and things didn't get any better in the following year either.
“We have therefore called an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting in 2023,” emphasized Beringer in an interview with
inFranken.de.
Since then, the business has been fighting for its existence.
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The “Mio” is currently in a grace period without a clear end date, says Beringer.
A notice is intended to motivate residents to shop locally: “The Mio must be closed if sales do not increase.
We need you as a customer, please shop.
Every euro counts,” it says.
“Don’t drive away, buy locally,” is the slogan.
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