How 95-year-old Gerda Hammel runs her shop

DW (English)

95-year-old Gerda Hammel stands behind her counter every day and fights against online retail. Despite many challenges – her “Strumpfkästchen” hosiery store remains her passion: an impressive life full of courage and determination.

Transcript

00:00Gerda Hamel is 95 years old, a businesswoman, and she's not thinking about quitting.

00:07For me, it's impossible isn't in my vocabulary.

00:13There's always a way.

00:15Sure, there are days when I'd rather stay in bed.

00:19That happens, but my shop is always calling me.

00:23I'll always end up coming back.

00:26Her shop, the Strumpkästchen, or stocking drawer, is an old building in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt.

00:34The costs? Manageable.

00:37Around 30,000 people live in the spa town.

00:40Hundreds of thousands of visitors come each year, mostly for health treatments or to unwind.

00:46Elvis Presley once completed his military service here.

00:50Gerda Hamel runs her fashion store here six days a week,

00:54and online retail, not her thing.

00:58I don't have internet. I don't do that.

01:02No, my customers come to me and pick out what they need.

01:06And I'm happy when we have what they're looking for.

01:09It's not always easy.

01:12Even though sales are down without online retail, she keeps at it.

01:20What drives her? What keeps her going?

01:24Customers come here. You make connections. You chat. It's really nice.

01:30Conversations, grateful visitors, a sense of purpose. That keeps her going.

01:36She doesn't want to be alone at home.

01:38She also believes online retail threatens small shops in the town center.

01:44If I can't do it anymore, I'll close it down.

01:48Then the place will get cleared out, and that's that.

01:51Just another empty storefront.

01:53That's what I've been fighting against all along.

01:55Her life has never been easy.

01:59She fled East Germany in the 50s and raised two children on her own.

02:04One son died young at the age of 22.

02:07When you're dealing with worries and troubles,

02:12drinking alcohol doesn't help. Only work does.

02:15Her work gives her focus.

02:20The black one is better.

02:24These days, a part-time assistant helps her three times a week with things like decorating.

02:30She regularly exchanges ideas with wholesalers.

02:35Strumpkästchen Hamel? Yes?

02:38Mr. Scholz? That's great. I'm glad you finally called.

02:42I'm glad you finally called.

02:45Staying healthy means constantly challenging herself.

02:49She could have retired decades ago,

02:51but then her friends, like the chef in the Italian restaurant next door,

02:55would visit her less often.

02:59She's always been here. Always.

03:02I've been here for almost 50 years.

03:05All the best.

03:12She visits him regularly.

03:16Good food, essential for getting old.

03:19Is there another secret?

03:21Could it be a gift from God?

03:23Maybe it truly is.

03:27She hopes things will stay this way for a long time to come.

03:32I must say.

03:34It really will survive.

03:36Yeah.

03:37Sure.

03:38Yeah.

03:40Yeah.

03:41Instead of going.

03:42Yes.

03:43Nobody else did thatEP.

03:44Any idea?

03:45We'd rather him do so.

03:46Why aren't we?

03:48We'd rather himmern a certain day.

03:49Within 3nn,

03:51We'd rather through that Yep и Jar folksia.

03:52through andca londers 우와

03:54Frach Sarkцuj,

03:55?

03:56No speed when the water was golden.

03:57After,

03:58we'd rather live quite well together.

03:59And Dave was who has to return.

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