Sandwiches in the flower shop: couple fighting for existence in Barth!

Sandwiches in the flower shop: couple fighting for existence in Barth!

In downtown Barth, Nico and Oliver Möller fight tirelessly for their existence. Their “Flowers and More” shop, which they opened in February, was intended to be a place of blooming diversity. Everything started off promisingly - flowers, self-made bouquets, potted plants and early bloomers were initially very well received. But the reality has been different for a few weeks now: sales figures have plummeted and the reasons for this remain unclear. Nico Möller describes the situation as extremely difficult and emphasizes: “It is very difficult to keep business running.”

In order to counteract the decline, the Möllers have expanded their product range. In addition to flowers, there are now also homemade jams, healthy oils and craft supplies. By registering as a parcel shop, they hope to arouse additional customer interest. Another innovative step was the decision to offer takeaway coffee as well as sandwiches and bagels. The necessary permits from the hygiene department have been obtained and the ingredients are freshly prepared. On the first day of the reopening they were able to welcome ten customers, but sales figures quickly fell again.

The fight for independence

The Möllers, who have been living in a registered civil partnership since 2018 and are the first homosexual couple to be married there in Ribnitz, are not going to let themselves get down. Despite the setbacks that came with their previous business ideas — including a “Stöberstübchen” that didn’t survive the pandemic — they are determined not to give up on “Flowers and More.” They are doing everything they can to be financially independent, but difficulties are mounting: demand for their plants has fallen and the perishable goods have to be sold quickly. If there aren't enough sales, there's no choice but to take home the ingredients for the sandwiches.

The couple has their roots in the region and their previous activities have been anything but successful. After their time in the “Stöberstübchen” they worked as building cleaners and in vehicle detailing, which did not offer the long-term prospects they had hoped for. Their close relationship helps them pull together, even when times are tough.

The challenges of independence

When it wasn't just the flowers that were in decline, the Möllers had to watch as their range became smaller and smaller. The plants they sell come from a Rostock dealer, but demand is so low that selling these goods has become a constant challenge. "We don't want to give up. We believe in our concept," says Oliver Möller, showing that they don't want to lose courage despite all the adversities.

In today's world, when independence is not just a question of will, but also comes with numerous external challenges, the Möllers are being put to the test. The new catering division is intended to bring a breath of fresh air, but the business is fragile and dependent on the weather. At the end of the day, all you can do is hope that luck is on your side and that you can make your dream come true.

The Möllers' story is at the same time a story of hope and challenges. While other areas, such as aircraft construction or large engineering service providers such as Hatch, prove to be more stable, small business owners like the Möllers have to find their own way. The economic pressure in the catering and retail sectors is high, and many are fighting to stay in the market.