Richi's ice cream parlour - an unusual furnishing project

No, the "Corona time" was certainly not easy for us either. In addition to the various restrictions in our own operations and those of our customers, there were of course also enormous restrictions with our suppliers - because the majority of our suppliers come from Italy, and as is well known, Italy was not only earlier, but also even longer and more massive in the "lockdown" than Germany.

Yes, and this sometimes resulted in relatively bizarre situations that could only be solved with understanding, creativity and spontaneity . 

One of these situations we would like to present to you today: The story of "Richi" Dürbeck and his ice cream parlor in Fridolfing!

An unusual ice cream maker

Richard "Richi" Dürbeck from Fridolfing in the district of Traunstein in Upper Bavaria is not a "classic" ice cream parlor operator, because his business is based on three pillars: On the one hand, he produces ice cream in portion cups for food retailers. Secondly, he operates a number of frozen vending machines with which he sells his pre-filled ice cream portions - so that the local village youth can take a delicious Dürbeck ice cream home with them even on Saturday nights after going to the disco (and without any personnel costs). By the way, there is also a vending machine next to his ice cream parlor - outside opening hours, a sign informs his customers that the ice cream is also available for takeaway right next door at the vending machine. And the third pillar is his ice cream parlor - and this is where our story begins.

An unusual problem

For this ice cream parlor we were to deliver a new interior - so far, so normal. We drew up a plan and clarified all the details such as colors and materials. The result was an individual, custom-made project "made in Italy", because due to the complex space, extensive cladding work and many special parts, modular furnishings "off the shelf" were out of the question. The complete furnishings were to be delivered and installed at the end of March. The end of March? That's right, Corona completely threw a spanner in the works. After the first horror pictures from Italy, the travel restrictions and the first closures, it quickly became clear to all of us: Richi's equipment was going to be tight! 

In the end, it was too close: Quasi simultaneously with the news from our suppliers that the furnishings were ready, Italy "shut down". Richi's beautiful new facility was in Italy - and had to stay there for the time being. By the way, we and our customer were by no means alone with this problem: Since almost all ice cream parlor furnishings are made in Italy - the Italians simply have the best knack for design and materials - everyone who was waiting for a furnishing was also affected by the Italian lockdown. Also and especially those who had ordered their furnishings directly from a dealer in Italy - but more on that later. 

At the beginning, everyone was still relatively relaxed, because due to the general "lockdown" also in Germany, the facility was not needed immediately anyway - and this "lockdown" could hardly last that long... Well, far from it. And when the first pubs in Germany were allowed to open again, at least "To-Go", the nice weather was approaching and unfortunately there was still no good news from Italy, it was clear to all of us: There must be a creative solution!

An unusual solution

With a lot of patience and "insistence", we were able to find a transport company that brought the goods to Germany - but unfortunately this only solved half of the problem: Since the precise fitting of the custom-made furnishings and panelling involves complex and precise carpentry work, the assembly work is carried out by professional furnishing fitters - and these come from Italy and were therefore not allowed to enter the country for the foreseeable future. 

So we improvised a temporary solution at short notice and our electricians and refrigeration technicians had to act as improvised fitters - so all the functional parts (display case, refrigeration elements, front and rear counters) were placed, connected and put into operation. The cladding, on the other hand, was put into storage without further ado. Richi Dürbeck went into operation shortly thereafter with an unclad and improvised but fully functional setup and was able to take full advantage of the beautiful days in April and May with his "to-go" business. 

Quite in contrast, by the way, to those customers who had ordered their furnishings directly from an Italian retailer - because they could only look out of the window in frustration, hang an "Opening unfortunately postponed indefinitely" sign on the door and mourn the lost sales on the beautiful April and May days...

Whether, by the way, one or the other customer thought the "naked" look of the counter was the latest "industrial look made in Italy", we can of course only speculate...

And in the end? Everything will be fine!

In the meantime, by the way, the fitters from Italy were also allowed to enter , and the "naked" showcase was of course "dressed" in a manner befitting its status - since the end of May, the ice cream parlor has stood there, complete with furnishings, and has been excellently received by the guests. 

And even if we all would have loved to do without the Corona situation - it was an exciting project with a good ending for all of us. 

And if you ever find yourself in the Traunstein area, come and visit Richi and his team in Fridolfing and take a look at the finished project. Oh yes: And of course you can get delicious ice cream there, too...

Your Alois Krä GmbH