Sad farewell: Elend's last shop closes after 70 years!

Sad farewell: Elend's last shop closes after 70 years!

On October 31, 2025, the only store in Elend im Harz will close its doors. Operator Christine Drieman, who settled in the small community from the Netherlands several years ago, has decided to retire. Their decision marks the end of an almost 70-year era that has been a formative experience for many residents. Drieman and her husband took the step of starting their own business in 2004 after having difficulty finding a job in Germany. Initially she ran two shops, one in Elend and one in Rübeland. However, the second shop was closed, and the remaining shop “3 Harzer Hexen” quickly became a popular meeting place for locals and holidaymakers and offered a wide range, from fresh rolls and bockwurst to hiking maps and groceries.

As News38 reports, Drieman has been searching in vain for a successor to her store for the past three years, highlighting the challenges that many small businesses in rural areas have to overcome. Health reasons ultimately accelerated the decision to close, and after the sales activities end there will only be a container with shopping machines as a shopping option for the residents of Elend. A sad prospect for the community residents who will miss the familiar business.

The importance of small businesses in rural areas

Small and medium-sized businesses, including Drieman's store, offer great resilience and have a significant impact on the economic strength of rural regions. As stated in the Report by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, these companies generate almost half of the gross value added in Germany. Such businesses fulfill an important social and economic function, especially in rural areas, where demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers pose challenges.

The residents of Elend not only lose a place to shop, but also a social point of contact. The store was a meeting place where people could run their errands after everyday life and chat with neighbors at the same time. These social networks are particularly important for cohesion and quality of life in smaller communities. The report shows that living conditions in these regions are crucial to attracting young and talented workers.

Purchasing conditions in rural areas are changing

The closure of the shop in Elend increases the need to find solutions for local supplies in rural areas. Recognizing that other communities are also facing similar challenges, offering flexible financing options, such as Chattel Loans for Mobile Homes, could be a way to keep rural areas economically interesting. The easier credit conditions and financing support are important aspects, not only for potential home buyers, but also for entrepreneurs who want to operate in such regions.

Although the closure of the “3 Harzer Hexen” is a serious loss for the community, Christine Drieman's experiences can stimulate thinking about future business models that meet the special needs of rural areas while promoting community life.