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How 95-year-old Gerda Hammel runs her shop
DW (English)
Follow
6/27/2025
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.
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News
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00:00
Gerda Hamel is 95 years old, a businesswoman, and she's not thinking about quitting.
00:07
For me, it's impossible isn't in my vocabulary.
00:13
There's always a way.
00:15
Sure, there are days when I'd rather stay in bed.
00:19
That happens, but my shop is always calling me.
00:23
I'll always end up coming back.
00:26
Her shop, the Strumpkästchen, or stocking drawer, is an old building in Bad Nauheim near Frankfurt.
00:34
The costs? Manageable.
00:37
Around 30,000 people live in the spa town.
00:40
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come each year, mostly for health treatments or to unwind.
00:46
Elvis Presley once completed his military service here.
00:50
Gerda Hamel runs her fashion store here six days a week,
00:54
and online retail, not her thing.
00:58
I don't have internet. I don't do that.
01:02
No, my customers come to me and pick out what they need.
01:06
And I'm happy when we have what they're looking for.
01:09
It's not always easy.
01:12
Even though sales are down without online retail, she keeps at it.
01:20
What drives her? What keeps her going?
01:24
Customers come here. You make connections. You chat. It's really nice.
01:30
Conversations, grateful visitors, a sense of purpose. That keeps her going.
01:36
She doesn't want to be alone at home.
01:38
She also believes online retail threatens small shops in the town center.
01:44
If I can't do it anymore, I'll close it down.
01:48
Then the place will get cleared out, and that's that.
01:51
Just another empty storefront.
01:53
That's what I've been fighting against all along.
01:55
Her life has never been easy.
01:59
She fled East Germany in the 50s and raised two children on her own.
02:04
One son died young at the age of 22.
02:07
When you're dealing with worries and troubles,
02:12
drinking alcohol doesn't help. Only work does.
02:15
Her work gives her focus.
02:20
The black one is better.
02:24
These days, a part-time assistant helps her three times a week with things like decorating.
02:30
She regularly exchanges ideas with wholesalers.
02:35
Strumpkästchen Hamel? Yes?
02:38
Mr. Scholz? That's great. I'm glad you finally called.
02:42
I'm glad you finally called.
02:45
Staying healthy means constantly challenging herself.
02:49
She could have retired decades ago,
02:51
but then her friends, like the chef in the Italian restaurant next door,
02:55
would visit her less often.
02:59
She's always been here. Always.
03:02
I've been here for almost 50 years.
03:05
All the best.
03:12
She visits him regularly.
03:16
Good food, essential for getting old.
03:19
Is there another secret?
03:21
Could it be a gift from God?
03:23
Maybe it truly is.
03:27
She hopes things will stay this way for a long time to come.
03:32
I must say.
03:34
It really will survive.
03:36
Yeah.
03:37
Sure.
03:38
Yeah.
03:40
Yeah.
03:41
Instead of going.
03:42
Yes.
03:43
Nobody else did thatEP.
03:44
Any idea?
03:45
We'd rather him do so.
03:46
Why aren't we?
03:48
We'd rather himmern a certain day.
03:49
Within 3nn,
03:51
We'd rather through that Yep и Jar folksia.
03:52
through andca londers 우와
03:54
Frach Sarkцuj,
03:55
?
03:56
No speed when the water was golden.
03:57
After,
03:58
we'd rather live quite well together.
03:59
And Dave was who has to return.
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