Traditional Gerer inn closes after 120 years – regular guests are sad!

Traditional Gerer inn closes after 120 years – regular guests are sad!

The Gasthaus Gerer in Ammerland, a traditional business, will close its doors in the summer of 2026, which will cause great sadness among the regular guests. After 120 years of family ownership, over 30 years of management by Gabriele Gerer and her husband Günter Stroka-Gerer, this decision was made after careful consideration. The inn, which has been leased since 1893 and purchased in 1906, is known for its Bavarian cuisine, which ranges from self-killed game to delicious Kaiserschmarrn. However, the landlords have decided that it is time to draw a line in the sand - Gabi Gerer now wants to enjoy a well-deserved retirement after almost 50 years in the business. As can be seen from merkur.de, the decision is also a result of the challenges that the catering industry faces.

The difficulties in the industry are manifold. Long working hours and few leisure opportunities put a strain on the host family. In particular, the current difficult personnel market situation makes a potential transfer of operations uncertain. Even though Gabriele and Günter occasionally receive support from their daughter Senta and son-in-law Moritz, this is not enough to ensure a seamless transition in the long term. “Investments were necessary for the handover, but the search for suitable personnel is extremely difficult,” explains Gabi Gerer.

Regular guests say goodbye

The closure of the inn brings back many memories for guests, many of whom have come to the restaurant for years. The venerable inn has attracted not only local guests, but also prominent personalities. A special highlight is a certificate from Pope John Paul II, which hangs in the hallway of the house. Günter Stroka-Gerer once even baked meat loaf for the Pope, which is seen as a sign of appreciation for Bavarian hospitality.

The guest rooms are currently being rented out and legal students are currently living there. However, the challenge remains that Lake Starnberg alone does not have enough attraction to attract many guests outside of the summer season. “The summer season is simply too short,” points out Gabi Gerer. Despite the sadness about the impending end of the traditional inn, the regular guests show understanding for the landlady's happiness.

A look at the gastronomy

The challenges that catering establishments face are not only noticeable at Gasthaus Gerer. Economic uncertainties and increasing insolvency cases are the order of the day throughout the area, as [glassl-brandel.de](https://www.glassl-brandel.de/2024/11/29/gastronomie-hausforden-trends- Success Strategies/) describes. The need to be proactive is becoming increasingly clear, and support from management consultancies offers a way to adapt to changing conditions.

Sustainable strategies, business plans and the optimization of existing processes are services that can support catering businesses in realizing their visions. Seen in this light, the closure of a traditional restaurant like the Gasthaus Gerer turns out to be not only a personal problem, but also a structural problem for the entire industry.

Another part of the gastronomy scene shows that fresh ideas certainly promise success. Sakis Papakyritsis took over the Siebenbrunn restaurant in Munich and immediately transformed it into a “Greek tavern at Siebenbrunn” that attracts locals and tourists. This mixture of Bavarian flair and Greek cuisine seems to be a recipe for success, reports abendzeitung-muenchen.de. Not only does he rely on traditional Hellenic dishes, but he also plans to enrich the beer garden with an outdoor bar and live music evenings.

While the Gasthaus Gerer is counting down its last months in operation, a look at the gastronomy scene shows that new perspectives can also be opened up with fresh ideas and measures. The question remains how many such traditional restaurants will follow in the coming years.