Family gang in Hahnenkrug: Like a landlady despite worries shines

Family gang in Hahnenkrug: Like a landlady despite worries shines

In the catering trade, the importance of committed and reliable employees is often underestimated. A shining example is 58-year-old Conny Appelbaum, who leads the Hahnenkrug restaurant in Hövelriege. With remarkable energy and passion, she is not only a landlady, but also the heart of the restaurant. However, their challenges are great. "We just don't find a staff," she explains, and that has far -reaching effects on the entire company. Her 75-year-old mother, Ilse Gellermann, also lovingly called "Omi", stands as a main force in the kitchen on many days and can hardly create space for personal conversations with the guests.

The billions of stories that the well-known regular guests could tell about their "Omi", illustrate the narrow band that has developed over the years. The cock jug is not only a beverageocal, but also a place where friendships form and the community is kept alive. But behind the facade of joy and work there are worries that cannot be ignored. Fewer and fewer staff are available, and Conny Appelbaum is fighting every day to keep their business going.

a life for the cock jug

The story of Conny and her family is as old as the restaurant itself. Over 27 years ago, she took over the Hahnenkrug from the Gellermann couple. It was a fresh start that could be realized with a lot of support from "Omi" and her late husband "Opi Erich". They not only helped childcare, but also became an indispensable part of their lives. This strong family bond that has developed over the years is a valuable treasure.

When the beer garden on the Hahnenkrug awakens in the summer and cyclists flock to the tables, Conny and Ilse are in their element. Over 150 schnitzel is prepared on a weekend and the mood is alive. But as everywhere in the catering trade there is the dark side of the business. More and more restaurateurs from the region have to restrict their opening hours or reduce the offer. Conny has already taken measures, such as introducing two rest days to counteract a burnout. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense.

The search for personnel

The search for new staff is extremely difficult. Conny has exhausted almost all usual channels, from job advertisements to discussions with the employment office. "There are always inquiries that end that someone could be done in black," she says. A solution that is out of the question for you because it wants to adhere to the laws. What Conny puts a long way into is the paperwork connected to the company: numerous minutes for the health department, tax returns, and the repayment of the corona wages demand a lot of strength.

These administrative hurdles are not only an obstacle, they can also have a discouraging effect. On some days, Conny has the feeling that they want to throw everything down. "They are the framework conditions that exhaust me," she explains. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic, because she finds joy in being with the guests: "When I am among the people, I know that I don't want to do anything else." But the fears remain: what happens if you or "Omi" fail?

Despite the difficult situation, the Gellermann-Appelbaum family is strongly connected. Julien, Conny's son, now helps regularly in the Hahnenkrug. "He couldn't look at the misery anymore," says Conny proudly. It is this family support and the close community with the regular guests who keep the landlady going despite all the adversities. "It is so good that we hold together as a family," she adds and emphasizes the invaluable value of family cohesion and the connection to your guests.