The End of an Era: Inn Waldpark in Putzbrunn Closes After 13 Years
Host relinquishes duties - provides rationale for departure
Wasteland Park, a beloved local inn nestled in Putzbrunn, is packing its bags. Owner Harry Schade shares his story and the challenges that led to this heart-wrenching decision.
Putzbrunn - It's a melancholic goodbye after more than a decade at the Inn Waldpark. Harry Schade, the skilled innkeeper who's been charming Putzbrunner patrons since 2013, is hanging up his apron for good. "I apologize to our faithful customers, but inescapable health issues, the insatiable bureaucracy and a litany of troubles, leave me with no other choice," Schade says with a heavy heart.
As a veteran in the hospitality industry with over 30 years of experience, Schade has built a reputation serving genuine Bavarian cuisine. With his dedicated crew of two cooks and two servers, they have always made their guests feel at home. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has tested their resilience like never before.
Unsettling Finances and Hurdles
While the first few government subsidies were promptly delivered, Schade had to play the long game for subsidy IV. "The exact reasons are still a mystery, even to me and my tax advisor. But I finally got my dues, thanks to an article in the Munich Merkur," Schade reveals.
His troubles didn't end there. An exhaustive cash audit by the tax office and a massive questionnaire compounded his frustration. What made things even more exasperating was that a crucial document went missing at the tax office - meaning he had to repeat the entire process.
Food controls and unjustified complaints from the district office also seemed to complicate matters for Schade, resulting in a €328 fine. "It would have been more fair if they had pointed out the issues, allowed me time to rectify, and offered constructive criticism - not just slapping a fine out of the blue," Schade laments.
Political Climate Takes a Toll
Even the political landscape hasn't been gentle on Schade's operation. A broken promise by the previous federal government about a permanent 7% VAT for caterers led to the rate being reverted to 19%. "If the new government raises the minimum wage to €15, how can I expect to cover my costs, let alone pay my committed staff fairly?" Schade questions.
Unrelenting difficulties eventually led our resilient innkeeper to make a difficult decision. "I had planned to work until I was 60, but now, I can't take it anymore." September will mark the Inn Waldpark's closure after a 13-year run.
Pertinent Facts:
- Harry Schade has run Inn Waldpark for almost 13 years.
- Health issues, bureaucracy, and financial struggles led to the Inn's closure.
- The Inn Waldpark was a popular destination not only for regular patrons but also for the community at large.
- Despite his over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and serving authentic Bavarian cuisine, the financial struggles of small-business owner Harry Schade, including battles with bureaucracy, unjustified fines, and delayed subsidies, forced him to close Inn Waldpark after 13 years.
- The political climate also impacted Schade's small business, with a broken promise by the previous federal government about a permanent 7% VAT for caterers and the reversion of the rate to 19%, making it challenging for him to cover costs and pay his staff fairly.
- The closing of Inn Waldpark, a beloved local establishment in Putzbrunn, not only marked the end of an era but also raised general-news concerns about the difficulties faced by small-business owners in the finance sector due to the combined impact of health issues, bureaucratic hurdles, and unfavorable political decisions.
