There is a whole dynasty of newspaper sellers in the north of Berlin. One of them is Jörg Engel.
By Oliver Ohmann
“Hello, Tachchen!” This is the official greeting at the Kiezkiosk in Alt-Tegel. You are greeted by an angel, Jörg Engel.
The 55-year-old is the third generation to run kiosk. “We have always been shooting here, at the current location for 27 years.” The kiosk itself has just been transformed and is now part of a “modern wall ensemble”. Engel is not really satisfied. “We’re missing an entire advertising wall for the magazine display, and that’s noticeable. But it’s OK.”
Also read: BZ is looking for the coolest kiosk in Berlin!
The customers don’t feel anything. “Hi,” says Engel again and hands a BZ “My father-in-law sold 1300 BZ on a good day in 1973, there weren’t any other sellers around.” There is a stool in front of the kiosk for older customers. Small detail, big effect. “Many customers are grateful for a breather, we’re all not getting any younger.”
Engel has been in the kiosk business for 33 years and still enjoys his work. “Otherwise you don’t do it,” he says, digging a box of Pall Mall off the shelf. On weekdays, his day in Tegel starts at 4.30 a.m. and the stack of BZ is on the counter right on time. Not 1300 anymore, but still a chunk – hot off the press from Engel.
Simply mail to: [email protected]
