As part of the federal funding program "Sustainable Cities and Centres", the city's economic development department has launched the "City Mood" project. Over the next two years, the aim is to promote networking between local players and proactively support inner city marketing. This task will be carried out by the Dr. Fries office, which is already responsible for the district management of the Socially Integrative City. Samira Brächer will act as city manager and will be the contact person in the city center office several times a week. Above all, she is aiming to network all stakeholders, which includes holding network meetings with retailers, restaurants and residents. Regular consultation hours are also planned, which can be used to exchange ideas or to support difficult processes.
The city manager and the two city business promoters Caroline Pehlke and Sarah Wagner are also very excited about the opening of the pop-up store "IO UP". Under the motto "Your ideas - your business - our support", founders can test new retail concepts in the city center for a short period at low cost. This is because the rent is heavily subsidized by the city council. In the former shoe store in the Oberstein pedestrian zone at Gilsbachs Eck, not only retailers but also service providers and craftsmen can try out new formats. Cultural or educational uses are also conceivable.
At the start of "IO UP", several regional suppliers will be presenting their unusual products. Nicole Faller sells personalized gifts and decorations from her village workshop, Vanessa McRae sells lovingly selected and quality-tested baby and children's clothing under the "Happy Giggles" brand, Sabine Engers sells handmade accessories for pets and finally, Hanna Herzog and Sarah Schott offer cuddly toys, T-shirts, bags, sweaters, pants, hats and greeting cards with their own logos in the Pinguinkuh store.
As the vendors only run their businesses on the side, the pop-up store is open on Tuesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm, Wednesdays from 11 am to 2 pm, Thursdays from 11 am to 3 pm and every second Saturday of the month. But on the first weekend in August, the gemstone cutters' and goldsmiths' market with street theater also takes place. So the store will of course also be open on this Saturday and on the Sunday when the market is open. So drop by and be surprised.