Vendor bids farewell at Harburg weekly market.
Joern Schlumbom Retires from Harburg Farmers' Market After 40 Years
After four decades of serving the community at the Harburg Farmers' Market, Joern Schlumbom is hanging up his apron. The popular stall owner, known for his selection of delicious tomatoes and high-quality meat products, will be retiring to Luebeck next year to be with his partner.
Schlumbom's stall, which has been a fixture at the market for three generations, will soon be a memory. The retirement comes as a result of increasing regulations, difficulty in finding employees, and the unprofitability of further investment.
Schlumbom's tomatoes were a hit with customers, thanks to his careful selection of varieties and their excellent taste. Most of the produce sold at his stall was homegrown, with seven greenhouses in Handorf, district of Lueneburg, supplying the fresh produce.
The stall's location, near the stairs to New Street after the market's renovation, was a popular spot for customers. On his last day at the market, a sunny, warm Saturday, many customers came to say goodbye and bring gifts for Schlumbom.
As a sign of appreciation, Schlumbom provided ice cream for his colleagues on his last day. The market has already experienced changes with the retirement and closure of other stalls, including one belonging to Lesser, the brother of the well-known butcher shop on Cuxhavener Street.
Schlumbom's health is good, and he plans to move to Luebeck next year to enjoy a quieter lifestyle in retirement. As he steps back from the market, he looks forward to spending more time with his loved ones and pursuing personal interests.
The Harburg Farmers' Market will miss the friendly face of Joern Schlumbom, but his legacy will live on through the memories of the many customers who enjoyed his produce and the community he helped build.
Other customers might miss Schlumbom's stall and its food-and-drink offerings, as they tastefully complemented the home-and-garden items often found at a farmers' market. In his response to the unprofitability of further investment, Schlumbom plans to embrace a new lifestyle in Luebeck, away from the market's demands.
