Legacy of Sweets: Transition to the Bear's New Generation
Hangin' with Bears: Vienna's Sweetest Treat
Stepping into "Bear Land" on Rotenturmstraße, you're greeted by a tantalizing aroma and a lively crowd. The quaint store, marked by a large red bear, brims with excitement. Amidst the curious onlookers stands Jakob Auer, clutching a pair of tongs.
He engages in friendly banter, offering visitors a taste of coffee-flavored gummy bears, vegan sour fruit gums, and the infamous "Hirnis." Newcomers to the family business, Jakob and his fiancée Célia Martin, are slated to take the reins in 2025.
Despite the international fame of the "Bear Land" brand, the Vienna and Graz branches remain under the watchful eye of the Auer family. Gabriele Auer, the matriarch, first opened her fruit gum shop in Baden 25 years ago and relocated to Vienna eight years later.
Her initial foray into the retail world was far from the cosmetics industry she had envisioned. As a young girl in the '90s, Gabrieleopted out of a future in beauty and changed course.
Early Lessons
The 4-year-old Jakob Auer could often be found sitting in front of the shop decades ago, drawing passersby with slogans like "Come in, my mom has gummy bears." A handover was never in the cards: "I never saw Jakob here, I did everything myself," Gabriele recalls. She's delighted that her son and daughter-in-law now wish to learn the ropes from her. "Friendliness is the most important thing, that's what you should feel in our shop," she says.
Jakob Auer no longer lingers outside the store, but he's eager to lend a hand these days: "We don't aim to revolutionize the industry, but we want to adapt to the times." Social media marketing, for example, is high on his to-do list - so far, business has boomed through word of mouth.
But one thing must remain constant: the shop's interior. Dating back to 1954, it used to be a children's folk costume shop. Jakob, Gabriele, and Célia seek to preserve its inviting atmosphere, filling the store with a sea of colorful gummy bears instead of dirndls and leather pants.
Spreading Joy
"We aim to make every shopping experience pleasant," says Célia. It's especially crucial in challenging times to bring positivity to people. "You can tell that customers aren't down in the dumps when they're here," adds Célia.
The joy spreads through the generous samples. The "Hirnis," fruit gum brains filled with strawberry, remain the most popular choice. From champagne bears to traditional gummies, visitors can savor a wide variety. Jakob's personal favorite, the coffee bean flavored gummies, is his go-to share.
Customers range from the young to the elderly - the oldest regular is a sprightly 94, according to Gabriele. To ensure the permanent satisfaction of these loyal patrons, the Auers will continue to nurture their skills over the next year before fully assuming their new roles. "The business is an on-the-job learning experience, but I'm comforted to know it's in capable hands," Gabriele concludes.
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Additional Notes:
- No specific information regarding Jakob Auer, Célia Martin, and Gabriele Auer, or any business called "Bear Land," could be found apart from the information given in the base article. The term "Bear Land" does not appear to be associated with well-known landmarks or businesses in Vienna.
- The reference to "Alaskan wildlife tours" suggests that there may be other unrelated businesses known as "Bear Land." However, it is likely that the Vienna "Bear Land" is a local or niche establishment that is not widely documented online. Enrichment data regarding Jakob Auer, Célia Martin, and Gabriele Auer remains limited without specific details regarding their personal lives or careers outside of the "Bear Land" business.
- The Auer family has been running the Vienna branch of Bear Land, a store situated on Rotenturmstraße, for many years.
- Célia Martin and Jakob Auer, the newcomers to the family business, intend to learn the ropes from Gabriele Auer before taking over in 2025.
- Visitors to Bear Land can enjoy a variety of food and drink samples, including coffee-flavored gummy bears and the famous "Hirnis."
- Auer family's home and garden, as well as their food and drink shopping needs, might be attended to on Rotenturmstraße, where Bear Land is located.
- Gabriele Auer, the matriarch, plans to pass on her skills to her son Jakob Auer and daughter-in-law Célia Martin before fully handing over the business.
