By Alina-Doreen Gröning
For the little ones there is free cotton candy, duck fishing and face painting, for the adults 3000 printed jute bags to store future purchases.
Residents and Berliners from all districts are celebrating the long-awaited opening of the newly designed pedestrian zone Gorkistrasse at a street festival this weekend.
After the official opening of the new Galeria branch on Thursday, district mayor Uwe Brockhausen (59, SPD) inaugurated the new department store on the redesigned Gorkistraße on Saturday morning, surrounded by showmen on stilts and in colorful costumes with the traditional silhouette. He was supported by HGHI boss Harald Huth (53) and Stefan Fasshauer (49), who, as director of German pension insurance, is the most important office tenant in the complex.
Golden Paper Cut: Harald Gerome Huth (53), District Mayor Uwe Brockhausen (59, SPD) and Dr. Stephen Fasshauer (49) Photo: Olaf Selchow
“Even though the costs were unbelievably high, I am very pleased that after such a long time the pedestrian zone and thus the old street could be restored to its new splendor. We don’t have to tell the people of Tegel and Reinickendorf how to use a pedestrian zone. This was there before, just in much worse condition,” says Huth.
Barbara Kistenmacher (80) is also enthusiastic, she has lived in the neighborhood for around 40 years, says: “I’ve missed Karstadt a lot and I think it’s great that something has finally happened here. I’m sure I’ll be happy to use the offer frequently.” The opening of the retail space on the corner of Gorkistrasse and Berliner Strasse, where the Hertie department store used to be, is planned for next spring.
Lea Ekinci (28) from Hermsdorf has fun at the street festival on Saturday with her daughters Rosi (8) and Nala (5). Photo: Olaf Selchow
The highlight of the event was an autograph session by pop singer Claudia Jung (58) on Saturday afternoon. But there will also be another celebration on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The new market hall Photo: Olaf Selchow