25-year-old takes over cafeteria in nursing home – her grandmother gave the impetus

Wismar. New life in the retirement home on Störtebekerstraße at Friedenshof in Wismar: Sarah Sengpiel has reopened the cafeteria. Coffee and cake are available here from Wednesday to Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Sarah’s Café”, as it is called, is open to everyone: home residents and their visitors, guests from the Friedenshof and beyond. “I am happy about every guest,” says the 25-year-old.

Out of the cafeteria in the nursing home due to the corona pandemic

When the house opened in 1979, a cafeteria was also set up that the public could also use. But in autumn 2023 this tradition came to an end. The doors remained locked and the room on the ground floor of the nursing home was deserted.

Due to the corona pandemic and the lockdown measures, the cafeteria operator gave up. A new operator followed her after the restaurants were allowed to reopen, but then gave up again. In the meantime, the light seating at the seven dark brown tables remained empty.

Grandma gave the impetus for “Sarah’s Café” in Wismar

Until Sarah Sengpiel came. Her grandmother initiated it. “My grandma lives in assisted living and thought it was a shame that the cafeteria was closed.” The thought matured in the granddaughter’s mind. There were discussions with representatives of the municipal retirement home in the fall, the rental agreement was signed on December 30th, and the cafeteria has been open again since January 1st.

And what does grandma say? “She made herself very happy,” says the granddaughter. The older lady hadn’t visited yet because she was visiting a friend in France. The joy of seeing each other again in the cafeteria will be even greater.

She and her family bake the cakes themselves

Sarah gave up her job as a saleswoman in the Stolz department store in Klütz to take on the new challenge. “The work was good, but not for me.” “It drew me back to food,” says the Klützer. She trained as a chef in the Wonnemar resort of Wismar and later worked as a chef at Groß Schwansee Castle for two years.

After the first few days in the cafeteria, Sarah Sengpiel is happy. “It started well. It’ll be okay.” Home residents with their visitors, family and friends have arrived.

There are two to three cakes, fresh waffles and homemade muffins every day. Sarah and her parents from Gägelow made the chocolate kiss mandarin cake and the nut nougat cake, and she bought the strawberry cream cake. “I will always bring mostly my own cake,” says the woman. The prices are cheap. A cup of coffee costs two euros, a cappuccino costs 2.50 euros, cakes and cakes cost three and 2.50 euros, waffles cost 2.50 euros, muffins cost two euros, a scoop of ice cream and red jelly cost one euro.

“It is certainly brave to become self-employed.” But if not now, then when? So far there have been consistently positive reviews for coffee and cake. “Of course I’m happy about that,” beams Sarah Sengpiel.

Senior home manager is happy about the new opening

You want to get started first. Only time will tell whether the opening hours remain as they are now. If necessary, the offer could be expanded to include sausages, for example.

Word of the new offer will spread in the next few days and weeks. Probably also to the neighboring clinic. There is an alternative refreshment option for patients and their visitors.

Silke Lindenau, operations manager of the Hanseatic city’s retirement homes, is pleased about the newly opened cafeteria: “We are happy that someone has the courage and dares to become self-employed.” This is a great offer for our residents and visitors. There is good coffee and good cake, I’ve been there myself. We are very happy.” She is also hoping for guests from outside. “This increases sales and helps secure existence.”

OZ