As of: March 18, 2024, 9:01 p.m
By: Stefanie Zipfer
Comments
Press
Split
Entrepreneurs with a heart for the old town: Franz (left) and Dr.
Andreas Scherm recently invested millions in the renovation of the property at Pfarrstrasse 1. © Habschied
The Scherm family of entrepreneurs has bought the Dachau branch of the insolvent fashion company Rübsamen.
After a short renovation phase in May, the store is scheduled to reopen with fresh produce on June 1st.
The investment amount is half a million euros.
All existing employees will be taken over.
Dachau – Until recently, he would never have dreamed that Franz Scherm would become a fashion entrepreneur in his retirement.
But the insolvency of its most important tenant, the Rübsamen fashion house, last summer meant “we had to think in all directions”.
Everything stays the same: the Rübsamen fashion house keeps its name and its staff.
© Habschied
As reported several times, the Augsburg fashion company, which employs around 100 people at several locations, announced in the summer that it had filed for so-called self-administration insolvency.
In the following months, managing director Marcus Vorwohlt tried to spread optimism.
The Dachau location was “as good as secured,” Vorwohlt explained at every possible opportunity – until the beginning of January, when it became clear that Dachau was not secured.
The branch, like all other Rübsamen shops, would have to close by the end of May.
Entrepreneur Franz Scherm emphasized to the local newspaper that he had been working on alternative plans for the approximately 2,400 square meter retail space since November.
For a long time, the most promising plan was for a large clothing company, which operates numerous locations primarily in southern Germany, to take over the Rübsamen stores in Dachau and Fürstenfeldbruck.
“We almost agreed,” says Franz Scherm.
“They actually wanted to open on March 1st”!
In the end, however, the Franconian group withdrew, whereupon the Scherms - in addition to Franz Scherm, their son Andreas and daughter Birgit are also on the management of Scherm Verwaltungs KG - had to think again and, above all, calculate: “What would it cost us if “We have to completely renovate the space for a new tenant?” Because, as a reminder: The property at Pfarrstrasse 1, on the first two floors of which the Rübsamen store is located, was extensively remodeled from 2019 to 2021 after it was purchased by the Scherm family .
According to Franz Scherm, the investments in the fashion business “would only have paid off after 20 years”.
So the question was: “Do we risk having to rebuild again?”
Or do we take over the fashion house ourselves?”
The answer, reported Franz Scherm and his son Andreas, was unanimous in the family circle.
Of course, taking over the business costs money – Franz Scherm speaks of a “mid six-figure sum” – and initially means an enormous amount of effort: “We have to build our own company.
Until now, everything at Rübsamen was done through the headquarters in Augsburg.” But the Dachau entrepreneurs see the potential of the business and the location in the old town.
Specifically, their plan now provides for the following: Franz Scherm's daughter Birgit and Marcus Vorwohlt will become equal managing directors of the new Rübsamen Mode GmbH.
The existing Dachau staff will be taken on 100 percent - and can even look forward to a salary increase.
As a thank you, the 14 employees of the Scherm family have already written a card in which they thank their new bosses in touching words for the commitment and courage.
Of course, say the businessmen Franz and Andreas Scherm, the company will now be reorganized in many areas.
The most visible savings measure: “We are removing the escalator.
It's a cost eater.” Instead, there should be a staircase and – for customers who are not so mobile – an elevator.
The renovation work will begin in mid-May before the Rübsamen fashion house reopens with fresh goods on June 1st.
My news
A four-year-old has a tumor in his head – parents ask for help reading
Up to 30 centimeters: Where it's supposed to snow a lot on the weekend read
“Stunned after all the rumors”: Princess Kate surprises with public appearance
Deaf to noise: Three US nerds declare war on Putin with a cheap drone read
Habeck wants to have gas networks shut down: What that means for consumers read
No longer available: Aldi is taking the entire product category off its shelves
The Scherms' hope is that with the purchase of the Dachau Rübsamen branch, peace will finally return to Pfarrstrasse 1. The bonus market in the basement has stabilized after rumors of closure in the meantime.
“The range and customer frequency are right,” says Dr.
Andreas Scherm.
Marcus Vorwohlt is satisfied with the new development, especially since there is also a solution for his “cult store” in Friedberg: “I am very happy about this result.
This is a positive sign for regional trade, which will gain a new perspective with the solutions in Dachau and also in Friedberg.” Lawyer Dr.
Paul Abel from the Wellensiek restructuring law firm, who acts as general representative in the insolvency proceedings, is also pleased: “The industry is currently facing major challenges.
It is all the more pleasing that we have now reached a viable successor solution for two of the group's locations.
The negotiations were very constructive.”