For this elderly German shopkeeper, retirement not an option

DW (English)

Gerda Hammel, 95, could have retired decades ago. Instead, she keeps running her little fashion store near Frankfurt because she loves interacting with customers. Online retail is not for her, she told DW.

Transcript

00:01Gerda Hamel is 95 years old and won't even think about retiring.

00:10It's just that I can't... I don't know that phrase. I can. Always.

00:15Of course, there are days when I would rather stay in bed a bit longer.

00:20Of course. But the store needs me. I just have to be here.

00:25Her store, that's the Strumpfketschen, the little stocking store in Baden-Nauheim, just north of Frankfurt.

00:34Some 30,000 people live in this quaint little town. Many are guests in any of the local health spas.

00:42And during his military service, Elvis Presley lived here.

00:48And Gerda Hamel has been selling stockings forever.

00:51Her store is open six days a week. Online shopping? Not here.

01:00I don't have any internet. I don't do that.

01:03My customers come here. They're picking what they want.

01:07And I'm happy if they find what they need.

01:10It's not always easy.

01:12It's often not easy.

01:17And while online retailers have cut into her business, she won't give up.

01:21What's driving her?

01:25Customers come in. There's personal contact. We talk. That's just nice.

01:31Personal contact. Grateful customers. That's all Gerda needs.

01:35It's better than being holed up in her apartment, she says.

01:39But she's aware of how online retailers are indeed a threat to local stores.

01:44The day I can't do that anymore is the day this store closes.

01:50They can pick up the trash, the old furniture, that's it.

01:53And then you'll see an empty storefront here.

01:55I'm just trying to prevent that for as long as I can.

01:58Gerda hasn't had it easy in life.

02:01She fled East Germany in the 50s, raised two kids as a single mom.

02:06One son passed away early at age 22.

02:09When you're down and out and when you're worried, drinking isn't a good idea.

02:15Only working really helps.

02:19Her own business is like therapy.

02:22The black one's better.

02:24These days, Gerda has help in her store, three days a week.

02:31And she stays in touch with her wholesalers.

02:35Strumpfkastenhammel?

02:37Strumpfkastenhammel?

02:39Yes, Herr Schulz.

02:41That's nice.

02:43Nice that you're finally calling.

02:45Staying in shape as you grow old, it comes with new challenges every day.

02:49Gerda could have retired decades ago, but then she would likely see less of her friends.

02:56Like the chef of the Italian restaurant next door.

03:00She's always been here, always.

03:03Almost 50 years now.

03:05I've only been here for 30.

03:08It'll come soon.

03:10All the best.

03:14She visits him in return, often, for a good meal.

03:18Part of her strategy to live a long life.

03:21Any other secrets?

03:23It's all by the grace of God.

03:27Now she hopes that everything stays as it is, for as long as possible.

03:31As long as possible.

03:34Here.

03:35Yeah, yeah.

03:37I wish everyone was speaking.

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