Music has always been his life. Until four years ago. Then a new love came into his life – and it’s called Kiosk.
By Oliver Ohmann
Julian Strehle is visibly happy when a customer enters the store at Kolberger Platz. A smile that actually only exists in our city. Because when a kiosk operator in Berlin smiles, he means it honestly (there are some who look rather grumpy).
“I really enjoy being there for the people in the neighborhood,” says Strehle. “Schmargendorf is something like a village and you just have to love the people.”
The now 42-year-old returned to his hometown in 2018 after the music (“piano, rap, more modern things”) and a longer stay abroad. “I didn’t know exactly how things would continue at the time, but I wanted to set something up, be self-employed.” In any case, he went down to the corner to buy cigarettes…
“I got into conversation with the kiosk owner and she said that she wanted to retire and was looking for a successor. I thought about it for a moment and a little later I was a kiosk owner.”
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The shop looks tidy, Strehle didn’t want to clutter it up. It’s not a Späti either, but a classic newspaper shop, open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays until 1 p.m., Sundays are closed.
“There’s no other way, because the business is quite demanding. It starts at 6 a.m. and you can’t get out before 7 p.m..” Together with his business partner Ingo, the shop on Kolberger Platz has long been an institution. Because you can feel exactly that the smile behind the counter is meant honestly.
Julian Strehle has this very special kiosk rhythm in his blood and the humanity behind the counter is his melody.
Tell us your favorite kiosk in Berlin
The first kiosk opened in 1905 on Leipziger Platz – and of course the BZ was already in the window. We are proud of the people who bring the voice of Berlin to our readers every day. Every kiosk is a meeting place in the neighborhood and indispensable.
That’s why we’re now introducing Berlin’s favorite kiosks and, of course, the people who run the kiosks. Dear Berliners, tell us your favorite kiosk and we will introduce it. Of course you too, dear kiosk operator, can introduce yourself.
Simply mail to: [email protected]
