Sylt Research Center or Simply, The Sylt Academic Hub - The Established Bookstore Endures on Sylt – Incorporates "Fresh Breeze"
A year ago, the "Book Haven" was salvaged on Sylt. "She walked in here, it was a marvelous September morning, the sun was shining, the atmosphere was electrifying. She asked: Can I assist you? I'm here," said Steiner-Schwarz, the renowned bookstore owner in Keitum. She readily agreed. For 45 years, the 92-year-old has been managing her store near the Wadden Sea on the largest German North Sea island.
Rudolf Augstein, Axel Springer, Richard von Weizsäcker, and Wolfgang Schäuble were among her frequent customers. Despite an extensive search, Steiner-Schwarz had not found a suitable successor and was contemplating closing her store as she was "completely drained," she admitted.
Lack of Successors for Bookstores
"The most common reason for closures is business closure due to age," Thomas Koch, spokesperson for the German Booksellers Association, told dpa. Many bookstores also struggle to find a successor for their business. Additionally, there is increasing financial pressure and decreasing consumer interest: Fewer people are visiting cities and stores, and correspondingly less is being purchased locally.
But the "Book Haven" remains: Caroline Ditting, who is the same age as the store itself, will take over at the end of 2024. The 45-year-old journalist and native Schleswig-Holstein resident has been working here for a year. She previously lived in Munich for around 20 years, working for various media houses and publishers, and founded her own small publishing house, named after her nine-year-old rough-haired dachshund, Elsa. The little dog is now in the store every day.
She wanted to remain on Sylt
"I knew that if I wanted to stay on Sylt, I would have to find something for myself that would pay my bills and give me a purpose. And that would be a unique bookstore - I love books, it's in my DNA," said Ditting.
Steiner-Schwarz had already known her from visits to her store. During a stay on Sylt about a year ago, she was overcome with sadness and wanted to extend her visit. The spontaneous offer of assistance became a life-changing decision. That Steiner-Schwarz entrusted her with the business is a tremendous gift.
"I'm glad that Caroline Ditting is continuing the store as the manager, because she has everything she needs for it and can attract, captivate, and also inspire customers," said Steiner-Schwarz, a graduate in linguistics and literary studies.
The "Book Haven" is an institution - not just on Sylt
For the 92-year-old with the alert eyes, her store is more than just a book business. As the daughter of a journalist, she grew up with literature in the Ruhr area. The idea of her own business had been thwarted in Dortmund - Hildegard Steiner-Schwarz moved to Sylt with her husband, who had relatives on the island. In 1979, she opened her "Book Haven" in Keitum. She now lives near the Danish border on the mainland and commutes to her store on the island.
In the 45 years on Sylt, she has made herself and her book business a big name on the island. Steiner-Schwarz is known not only for her book expertise but also for her extravagant and often colorful clothing style.
Mrs. Steiner-Schwarz is an institution and has weathered all storms. She has created such a unique bookstore, said Ditting. That's one reason why "Book Haven" is still here today. Customers from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland call and seek her expert advice.
Books ordered by 5 PM are in the store the next morning. The shelves hold books you won't find elsewhere, focusing on high-quality literature and non-fiction topics like history, philosophy, and politics.
The numerous regular customers, including many scientists, are another reason the store has survived, said the 45-year-old. "Bookstores unfortunately close due to intense market pressure. We too face great pressure, but we strive to make customers who seek something special happy and satisfied."
Decline in Number of Bookstores in Germany
There are currently around 4,500 bookstores in Germany, including branches and those at train stations and airports, according to the German Publishers & Booksellers Association. In 2015, there were around 5,300. The majority of the industry's turnover is generated in local bookstores, the spokesperson said.
Successful bookstores position themselves as cultural and social hubs, the German Publishers & Booksellers Association reports. But bookstores that combine the advantages of online services - online shop, 24/7 advice and ordering, e-books, social media - with those of stationary shopping - expert advice and personal contact - offer something the online market cannot provide, Koch said.
Rumors of Closure on Sylt
Caroline Ditting brings fresh energy into the store - for example, through digital media, online book orders, and Instagram, said Steiner-Schwarz. "The modern age has entered this established book haven through Caroline."
There had been rumors of a possible closure around the bookstore. To counter these voices, the two women have been active on Instagram for half a year: "We wanted to show that we're still here," says Ditting. They share book tips and funny photos - for example, from the train ride over the Hindenburg dam and everyday scenes from the store. They now have almost 1,000 followers.
The 92-year-old insists on continuing their work at the store post-acquisition. They share a near-total agreement on book preferences, both offering only titles they genuinely enjoy. The book assortment will remain unchanged.
However, the new owner has plans to alter the ambiance: the walls will get a fresh coat of paint, and renovations are in the works. The store will be closed for a few weeks at the start of the year. "First up, this antique chair goes!", Ditting chuckled as she circled on an old piano stool behind a contemporary computer screen.
The business association has turned into a friendship within a year: "Lately, visitors to Sylt comment that our shop is like an endearing old sitcom couple whose married life is entertaining to observe", mentioned Ditting.
Other bookstores in Germany are also facing similar challenges as Steiner-Schwarz, with finding a suitable successor being a common issue due to age and decreasing interest from consumers.
Despite the rumors, the 'Book Haven' under Caroline Ditting's management is not just surviving, but also evolving, with digital media and renovations plans to attract and retain customers.
