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Book Otter in Ebersberg: I report from the abyss” – cry for help!
Björn Hartung, owner of the “Buch Otter” bookstore in Ebersberg, is asking for local support to save his shop.
Book Otter in Ebersberg: I report from the abyss” – cry for help!
Something exciting, but also worrying, is happening in the picturesque town of Ebersberg. Björn Hartung, the owner of the only local bookstore, “Buch Otter”, has started a cry for help. With the words: “I am coming back from the abyss,” he describes the critical situation of his shop, where he has been responsible since the end of 2020 after taking over the bookstore from Sebastian Otter. Hartung was not only hit hard by the corona pandemic, but is also struggling with business challenges that are pushing him to the limits of his creativity.
Customers are also affected. Demographic developments mean that the majority of buyers are older. The 2022 Christmas business turned out to be a disaster for many booksellers, and Hartung is also burdened by high backpayment demands from his health insurance company. Despite his best efforts, it seems as if he is trapped in a system that is failing him as a small business owner.
Positive reactions and local support
The bookstore is not just a shop, but a meeting place for the community. And so that this oasis of literature can get over the dark times, Hartung and many supporters are calling on people to buy from a local supplier. The topic that there are many Ebersberg bookstores can also be found in an article by Das Telefonbuch, which describes Ebersberg as a center for regional providers, where, in addition to Hartung's bookstore, four others can also be found. Here readers can obtain reviews and contact us directly if they have any questions.
So how is it that Ebersberg has such a vibrant book retail landscape and yet struggles with so many challenges? Hartung sharply criticizes politicians for the lack of support for culture, especially for young people. A clear message is: If we want to keep our small businesses and therefore the culture alive, we have to buy locally.
It remains to be seen whether the Book Otter can thrive in the coming months. But the first positive effects of his cry for help and the solidarity of the Ebersberg population could bring about the necessary change that is needed to save literature in the town. Because one thing is certain: a place with a bookstore is much more than just an address - culture lives here!