Old bikes, books and even microphones, that all is near the city centre of Mainz in Germany in the incredible antique shop „Brockenhaus”. The store is full of history, because when you are crossing the threshold you are traveling to the past. But what is so special about this place except products? Main goals of the shop! Sam, passionate creator and owner of the “Brockenhaus”, is trying to help to protect the environment and connect this with sustainable development. How he is doing this? I asked Sam about few things about his work.
Why did you opened “Brockenhaus”?
That wasn’t my idea to start running the antique shop. You need to know that 30 years ago, I wasn’t even living in Mainz. The idea of this place started because of the war in Yugoslavia. That wasn’t my idea to start running the antique shop. You need to know that 30 years ago, I wasn’t even living in Mainz. But the idea of this place started because of the war in Yugoslavia. When my friends were coming back from Yugoslavia they were thinking about that how many people need a new piece of furnitures, but there wasn’t any place where you could buy this stuff or to store them, because a lot of Yugoslavs just wanted to give away their stuff, but not throwing it away. So my friends wanted to help people to deal with this problem. They started to take broken things from people, after that they were fixing them and giving back to the necessitous.
« These products are better than from a big commercial furniture store, because they’ve got history to tell. »
Right now you have your own antique shop because of this idea, but you told me that you are protecting environment thanks to the “Brockenhaus”, how it’s possible?
Actually, it’s very easy, because we are given a new life to the furniture, cups, clothes etc. The articles, that we have here, are from first, second, third hand, that mean that almost every single thing in here had a few owners before it got here. We don’t have here any new products, maybe except for three pairs of glasses, which we protect before crushing and throwing them away to the trash. So all items are protected from being thrown away. Of course, before selling them further I am fixing them. In my opinion, these products are better than from a big commercial furniture store, because they’ve got history to tell.
So how did you find all of these articles? How did you get these things?
Most of the articles that you can find here, were given to me as a gift or recommended from other people. It was something like I’m getting a call from somebody who tells me: This guy wants to throw away something or sell. I was checking this information and I’ve got another article in my shop. You need to know that I’m not driving any vehicle, so 95% of products were brought from the people. Also, when somebody is buying something they are coming here and take purchased items to home on their own. For example, if there is any huge product that can be saved (f.e. couch) then I’m borrowing the car.
Are people paying you for having an opportunity to leave their old stuff or maybe do you pay them? How the transaction looks like?
Like I said earlier: some people are giving me some furniture or other things as a gift. Sometimes there is a some kind of transaction, because I’m looking at the product that somebody wants to sell me and then we bargain for the best price for the product. After that I’m selling these things here in the store. I’ve got a lot of articles in here. Customers are coming and going away every single day. So is it with people who are selling me for example old lamps or clocks. My tattoo artist is still selling me some stuff, that he has used for ten years.
« Customers asking me how they can improve their stuff on their own. I always try to help and give good advice. »
You’ve said earlier that you are fixing broken articles. How are you doing it?
Yes, I’m also taking care about upcycling, to improve some products, but I don’t have much time for these, because I’ve got another job. I’m working with the young people in the social welfare center in Mainz. For example, some time ago I created a lamp from a wardrobe. I took a stand from the lamp and some kind of wooden hooks. I’ve made the top of the lamp from them. Sometimes customers asking me how they can improve their stuff on their own. I always try to help and give good advice. So I’m repainting, fixing and improving old furniture. It’s hard to fix products from the huge known stores, because they are from the large production and very often they are poor quality. I’m not the fan of these types of products, I prefer solid wooden furniture.
« I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s my passion from the bottom of my heart. »
What are you proud of that you made?
I must admit that I’m proud of the whole project, I mean “Brockenhaus”, because I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s my passion from the bottom of my heart. I’m doing this for 30 years and I guess I will never stop.
You can sell to the “Brockenhaus” some of your old furniture or different thing. It can be anything like f.e. clothes, books, electronic gadgets or tableware. Also, you can just go to Boppstraße 4 and buy something. His store is full of historical moments. But you need to know that “Brockenhaus” it’s a little bit hidden. You will find this shop thanks to the yellow sign. Under the sign is a gate and when you will see colorful shop-window, surrounded by gray building – you will be in the right place. Sam will welcome you with all kindness.
Texte, propos recueillis et photos : Sara Rostkowska