Until the end of 2017, the traditional Bonn pub was called "Zum Gequetschten". Then it closed down and was extensively renovated and modernized. For a few days now, Cologne restaurateur Oliver Diaz and his business partner Rodney Ranz have been welcoming guests in the renovated and friendly, bright restaurant. True to its name, the "Elefant" features elephant figures in all variations sitting or standing. One even adorns the sign above the entrance.

The “Elefant” is not exactly new in the sense that it used to be there in earlier years. Word has apparently spread quickly that the “Elefant” is back, and not only amongst Bonners. If you look through the window, you will see that the restaurant is buzzing. It is open seven days a week, from 9am until midnight.

The Karstadt department store has also undergone extensive renovation. Construction work there is now in its final stages, limited to the basement, where the drugstore dm and an Aldi branch will move in. According to Chris Stapelfeld, manager of the Karstadt branch in Bonn, the dm store will open this Thursday, November 29. And a week later, on December 6, Aldi will open its doors for customers. "These are good partners for us. We definitely expect an increase in customer frequency", Stapelfeld says about the new co-tenants in the house. "We have also brought these partners on board at other Karstadt locations, with great success".

For more than eight months the Galeria Kaufhof on Münsterplatz has also been busy with renovations and change. In October, as reported, the refurbished and modernized floors were ceremoniously reopened. Galeria Kaufhof's fashion line-up has recently been expanded to include the British retailer Topshop, which has moved in on the ground level floor.

Only one and a half years after its opening, the leather goods store "Liebeskind" in Wenzelgasse closes. The location for the store, offering handbags and purses, was probably not as ideal as originally assumed, said one employee with regret. A fashion boutique is to move into the space at the end of the year.

A change of another kind is happening at jeweler Hild. Wolfgang Hild retires at the end of the year and has put the jewelry store, which has been in existence for 87 years, into the hands of Marc Mauer. Mauer comes from Bochum and runs two jewelry stores there in Bonn as well as the Toussaint watch shop on Sternstrasse.

The Café und Bistro Bottler was run by the company Fassbender Genussmanufaktur, founded in Siegburg in 1910. Due to insolvency proceedings, smaller companies such as Bottler had to close down, a company spokesman explained to GA on request.

By the way, the Vollmar perfumery "Vollmar Secrets" on Sternstraße invites you to a special event this Thursday: A fashion show will take place in the new rooms of Loft 8 between Sternstrasse and Friedrichstrasse from 6 p.m. onwards.

(Orig. text: Lisa Inhoffen, Translation: Carol Kloeppel)