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The unpackaged store in Rostock closes: how long can you still shop without plastic?
Rostock. It was simply not meant to be that way: almost two and a half years after opening, the unpackaged Green Goldi store in Rostock is closed. The shop that Nadja Reinecke and Janina “Nina” Goldschmidt have at Schröderplatz from February 2020 will only be available for a few days.
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The concept was especially liked by buyers who care about the environment: pasta, ice cream, detergents and cosmetics – at Green Goldi.
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With great love and passion, the two bosses set up a shop and launched it. They hit the nerves of repeat customers not only with their assortment and ideas, such as the subscription vegetable box, but also with the sustainability workshops that are regularly held in the store. It didn’t add up, after all.
Pandemic and inflation hit an unpackaged store in Rostock
Now the shelves are empty and will not be refilled. Two and a half years of pandemic, now inflation and more and more consumers who have to turn every euro twice – “This is too many crises,” laments Nadja Reinecke. It was simply the worst possible time to become self-employed in retail, and in a niche market. Unpackaged stores face problems across the country and often stay afloat only on reserves. “We worked at the border for a long time. Now it has reached the point where it can no longer survive financially, ”says the 24-year-old.
The decision to close was not easy, but took a heavy burden off of us. “We don’t need to panic anymore to look at the sales figures,” says Nadja Reinecke. “Still, it is of course extremely sad.” Bankruptcy proceedings have started. The sale has started: all products have a 20% discount. Only books and glasses are excluded from the discount. In addition, buyers for inventories are being sought.
Rostock women’s plans: run a shop and look for a job
Both women are making plans for the future: right after the store closes, they want to look for a job and “see where we are going in the future,” says Nadja Reinecke. She moved to the country with her boyfriend and, like Janina Goldschmidt, wants Rostock to be the center of her life. I don’t regret the last two and a half years. “We had a great time in the shop, learned a lot and met nice people.”
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On social networks, numerous users – customers as well as local and national retailers – express regret. At the same time, they show respect for female entrepreneurs. Many comments read that they had the courage to start their own business and are now not afraid to put up a line. At the same time, rescue attempts are encouraged, for example through crowdfunding.
The women are moved by the feedback. But that doesn’t change anything about her decision. Green Goldi will only be open for about two more weeks. “We close on July 30.” Until then, Nadja Reinecke and Nina Goldschmidt have one wish: that as many customers as possible come to their store and shop completely empty.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 19:00
Buy ecologically
The first unpackaged Rostock store was Bio-Kogge at KTV. It opened in 2017 but closed years ago. Currently, there are still unpackaged shops in Schwerin, Wismar and Greifswald. The grocery store in Bad Doberan also offers loose goods.
In Rostock, consumers can, inter alia, For example, you can shop with a clear conscience at the MiLa members’ store on Doberaner Straße (at the back of the BauGut store). In addition to the region’s fruits and vegetables, organic and fair trade products, unpackaged cereals, nuts, lentils and pasta are also available.
Author: Antje Bernstein