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Sad farewell: Greifswalds Gurke closes the popular fish trap house!
Heinz-Jürgen “Gurke” Kowalek closes his fish shop “Reusenhaus” in Wieck in order to keep a promise to his wife.
Sad farewell: Greifswalds Gurke closes the popular fish trap house!
A warm farewell and a historic moment are coming up in Greifswald. The popular “Reusenhaus” in Wieck, known for its delicious fish sandwiches, will soon have a new owner. Heinz-Jürgen “Gurke” Kowalek, who has successfully managed the business for many years, plans to retire. He closes this chapter of his life for a reason: he wants to keep a promise to his wife Beate that has spanned many years.
The story of Kowalek and Beate goes back to the turbulent years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He found out about the opening of the border on western television and visited a relative on the Darß, where it all began. He stepped in as a DJ at a New Year's Eve party and met Beate. After spending some time together, Kowalek decided to move to East Germany because he had nothing left to lose in Düsseldorf. Originally working as a market trader, he earned his nickname “Gurke” by selling Spreewald cucumbers.
A rise in the fishing industry
The idea of taking over the “Reusenhaus” came to him on the market when he heard about a shell of a building that was for sale. After he successfully applied, the couple initially opened a pub, but it had initial difficulties. But with the support of guest fishermen from Ueckermünde, who trained him in the art of smoking fish, the “Reusenhaus” flourished and became the first port of call for fish sandwiches in Wieck.
It certainly wasn't an easy path for Kowalek, who had little experience selling fish until then and couldn't even distinguish between the different types of fish. But with a lot of commitment and a good knack for business, he achieved the success that made the “Reusenhaus” so popular. It is difficult for him to say goodbye to his life's work, but Kowalek wants to have a clear conclusion before he retires into his well-deserved retirement after handing over the management to his successor Sebastian Heiden.
Curiosities from the world
While the doors of a popular restaurant in Greifswald are closing, bizarre stories are happening all over the world. A recent example is the incident in Mississippi, where a monkey that escaped from a truck accident terrified a local resident. Jessica Bond Ferguson, a mother of five, shot the monkey after her son noticed it in her garden. The authorities had warned her that the escaped monkeys could carry diseases, so she decided to take action to protect her children. Fortunately, it turned out that the monkeys were well studied medically and did not pose any acute health risks, but this rhesus macaque was considered potentially aggressive.
Such stories may seem far away, but they show how our everyday lives remain unpredictable and take unexpected turns even in times of rest. Whether in Greifswald or Mississippi – the world is full of surprises that always captivate us.
The last days in the “Reusenhaus” are approaching, and the team and regular customers will have the opportunity to say goodbye to “Gurke” once again. A chapter closes, but the memories and the stories will remain, while new ones continue to begin elsewhere.