Craft businesses from the Freiburg region give customers vouchers that can be redeemed at restaurateurs or retailers. The district craftsmen coordinate the whole thing.
The corona pandemic and the associated restrictions affect everyone – but some would suffer much more than others. This is what the Freiburg district handicrafts association writes, which refers to its “Handicraft helps trade” campaign: Companies belonging to the guilds that are part of it, whose business is continuing and in some cases even experiencing an upswing, want to help other areas of the regional economy, such as trade.
According to the announcement, the idea goes back to interior decorator Michael Rauber, who was initially able to win a handful of Freiburg colleagues as comrades-in-arms. In the meantime, more than two dozen craft businesses from various trades from all over the region are participating. And there were more and more.
The idea: From a certain order value, there are shopping vouchers for the customers of participating craft businesses that can be redeemed in local shops and restaurants or with service providers. The craft enterprises forego part of their profit. “It is important that the companies can adapt the system for themselves,” says Bernhard Ritter, managing director of the district craftsmen, who coordinate the whole thing. Other craft businesses that want to take part kept getting in touch. “We are now definitely going to let the campaign run until June 30th,” said Bernhard Ritter.
“It’s just the feeling that you have to show solidarity now.” Hansjörg Stratz, Glottertal
“It’s just the feeling that you now have to show solidarity,” Hansjörg Stratz, master mechanic and owner of the Stratz-Kfz-Technik car repair shop in Glottertal, is quoted in the message. “While the demand for us has even grown, others have to close the shop, and you almost get a guilty conscience.” That is why there was no question for him and his wife to participate in the relief operation. In addition, it is better to help voluntarily than to have to pay into a state-mandated system in the end. From now on, every Stratz customer who places an order with a turnover of at least 1500 euros will receive a shopping voucher from the Waldkirch advertising association or the Gastliches Glottertal association worth 50 euros. “My wife buys the vouchers in advance – and as soon as a customer exceeds the corresponding sales volume with us, he receives a voucher,” explains the 55-year-old craftsman. So far he has already given out four vouchers.
“It is important to us that we support retail here in town.” Horst Imberi, Muellheim
“It is important to us that we support retailers here in town,” says Horst Imberi (61), owner of the Imberi sanitary facility in Müllheim with eight employees. With an order value of 1200 euros or more, he will receive a 25-euro voucher from the Müllheim trade association. “In terms of results, 2020 was a solid year for us – and even if we are now feeling a slight slowdown, we want to stand up for the location and the particularly troubled businesses here on our doorstep.”
“We are of course also drawing attention to ourselves, but we also help those who are particularly economically affected by Corona.” Michael Mueller, Freiburg
It is a win-win situation, says Michael Mueller, owner of the bike shop “2-rad Mueller” in Freiburg. “We are of course also drawing attention to ourselves, but we also help those who are particularly economically affected by Corona,” said the 62-year-old. His three-man business recorded an increase in sales in 2020. It is natural for him to take part in the campaign. He has a “Freiburg voucher” from the dealer association Z’Friburg for 50 euros or more.
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