Konditorei Faust / Café Gretchen | Spessartring 27

It was 5 March 1925 when Georg Faust opened his "Konditorei Faust" at Gutenbergstraße 66. Just four years later, the flourishing business moved to the building complex designed by August Buxbaum in Spessartring. It wasn't long before number 27 was not only a popular pub, but also a favourite with the people of Darmstadt for its cakes and tarts. It was fortunate that they did not have to do without them even after the end of the Second World War: although Spessartring 27 was hit by an incendiary bomb towards the end of the war, Georg Faust junior's intervention meant that burning parts of the roof could be removed in time and the building saved.

Shortly after the war, the patisserie resumed operations - and quickly became a meeting place for fans of rich treats during the years of the "economic miracle". Back then, buttercream, meringue and cream cakes were particularly popular. However, if you wanted a slice, you had to get up early on Sundays.

On 30 April 2007, the Faust confectionery, now run by the third generation, closed. The end of a traditional business that many still remember fondly today. It is therefore all the more pleasing that a worthy successor was found in 2010 - also at the instigation of bauverein board member Dr Hans-Jürgen Braun. It was a stroke of luck that he not only continued the café tradition, but also added the popular Faust crumble cake to the programme and, on top of that, took over large parts of the original inventory. Whether a nod to the Faust family, a play on words or a homage to Johann Wolfgang Goethe - where Faust was once at work, the "Café Gretchen" now tempts cake lovers and those with a sweet tooth. A place that not only nostalgics love!

Photos: © feedback werbeagentur GmbH, www.manok.de