Struggling to Keep Up - Stuttgart's Food Bank Strained During Poor Weather Conditions
Stuttgart's outdoor gastronomy businesses are bracing for the coming weekend, which promises warmer temperatures and sunshine, offering a glimmer of hope for improved conditions at outdoor eateries. However, the city has been experiencing continuous rain, leading to a noticeable impact on the mood and revenue of these establishments [1].
To combat the adverse weather, many businesses are investing in modern, weather-resistant outdoor setups. Key methods include installing adaptive outdoor structures like the Alba bioclimatic pergola, using flexible equipment and weatherproof furnishings, and emphasising smart design that integrates protection and social comfort [2][3]. These adaptations aim to create comfortable, rain-protected outdoor spaces that can be used year-round.
Despite these efforts, some venues still struggle, especially those lacking sufficient canopy or umbrella coverage. This leads to reduced outdoor seating usability and lower customer numbers, significantly affecting revenues [1].
Valentin Hillengass, who runs a beer garden on the Karlshöhe and a temporary mini-golf course "Feuersee Open" in western Stuttgart, explains that if it rains, it's not worth opening economically as there are no covered dining areas at either location [1]. Beer gardens and tea houses in Stuttgart report significant revenue losses due to prolonged bad weather [1].
Sonja Merz, the landlady of the beer garden in the castle garden, reports a turnover loss of 20 to 30 percent compared to sunnier months [1]. Tadija Zelenika, the operator of the Teehaus in the Weißenburgpark, reports a halved turnover in July [1]. Arno Kaul from the beer garden by the Max-Eyth-See is counting on the announced better weather in the coming days [1].
The bad weather period has resulted in fewer guests and many cancellations in Stuttgart's outdoor gastronomies. The children's festival last Sunday in the Sonja Merz beer garden took place with significantly fewer visitors than planned [1]. Two weeks of bad weather out of a four-month seasonal operation can have a significant impact on the revenue of gastronomes in Stuttgart [1].
Elsewhere, the Rems-Murr district is still grappling with the effects of frequent rainfall, which has slowed down farmers due to a lot of corn still being in the field [4]. In Rutesheim, a large-format picture of the Leonberg horse market was found in a barn and is to be sold for a good cause [5].
Meanwhile, the German government has deployed five combat aircraft to Poland to support the Polish armed forces in monitoring airspace [6]. In the Beer gardens on the Filder, the Cuore Matto locale has only recently opened its large terrace since late 2024, but no reason was given for the delay in opening [7].
Two Asian tiger mosquitoes have been detected in Fellbach, posing a potential virus danger [8]. Despite these challenges, Stuttgart's outdoor gastronomy businesses remain resilient, looking forward to better weather and increased customer turnout in the coming days.
- To deal with the ongoing rain, outdoor gastronomy businesses in Stuttgart are adopting strategies like installing adaptive outdoor structures, using weatherproof furnishings, and prioritizing smart design for year-round, rain-protected spaces.
- Venues that lack proper canopy or umbrella cover struggle during bad weather periods, leading to reduced seating usability, lower customer numbers, and significant revenue losses for many outdoor gastronomy businesses in Stuttgart.
