Suche
Mein Konto
Backwerk in Fulda: 20 years of enjoyment end with a surprising closure!
The Backwerk branch in Fulda permanently closed its doors on June 19, 2025 after almost 20 years for economic reasons.
Backwerk in Fulda: 20 years of enjoyment end with a surprising closure!
The Backwerk branch Unterm Heilig Kreuz in Fulda closed its doors forever on June 19, 2025. After nearly two decades of operation since it opened in March 2006, the location is now vacant. Henning Haake, communications manager at Valora Food Service Germany, explains the closure for economic reasons. Franchisee Payam Lahijan, who ran the branch, regrets the situation as the number of customers continued to decline after the pandemic and the business was not considered profitable. There is a sign hanging on the entrance door thanking customers for their years of trust, while the Backwerk logo has already been removed and components are in the former sales room.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Lahijan. “The last few months have been a big challenge.” Despite the closure of the branch, there are still bright spots for Backwerk: another location at the train station in Fulda remains open. But the closure isn't just a blow to the company's employees and customers. According to osthessen-news.de, it also shows a worrying development in the city's retail sector. Another bakery, Regulski's, closed its doors a year ago, and Café Thiele near the town parish church is also currently temporarily empty.
A trend in retail
The current developments are part of a larger trend. According to a study by the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline in stationary retail space in urban centers. Weaker inner-city locations in particular are suffering from vacant shops, while district and specialist retail centers have remained relatively stable. Rents in large cities with high rental levels have fallen in some cases, which does not make the situation any easier for many retailers.
The closure of Backwerk Unterm Heilig Kreuz is the sad result of a development that is being observed by many in the industry. “The pandemic has changed our markets,” says Haake. “And we have to adapt to the new circumstances.” Customer trust remains a central issue, because direct contact and personal relationships with customers are more important than ever in times of online retail and fast food chains.
The future for further shops in downtown Fulda remains uncertain. While vacancies are increasing, there is still hope that brick-and-mortar retail can reach new heights with the help of creative strategies. It remains to be seen whether this will succeed.