Sternenbäck closes in Hechingen: Farewell to over 250 years of baking tradition?

Sternenbäck closes in Hechingen: Farewell to over 250 years of baking tradition?

The traditional Sternenbäck bakery based in Hechingen, which has played an important role in southern German baking culture for over 250 years, faces significant changes. At the end of 2024, the production location in Hechingen will be closed, which may mean the end for 34 branches in Baden-Württemberg. The bakery has clearly commented in a current notification to close the location in the Zollernalbkreis and the continuation of the branches is now very endangered.

The closure is part of a renovation process that Sterenbäck Management GmbH initiated in May 2024. The company had previously emphasized that all 123 branches in five federal states should continue to be operated. Now the situation looks different. To justify its decision, the bakery referred to high raw material prices, rising energy costs and the challenges that a rapidly changing market situation entails. These problems are not only an issue for star bakers, but also affect many bakeries in the region.

Follow for the branches in Baden-Württemberg

The closure of the production location in Hechingen has direct effects on the branches in the region because they are supplied from this location. Previously, it was unclear whether alternative production facilities in the other federal states, such as Thuringia or Brandenburg, were able to adequately supply the branches. However, it was found in a message dated September 26 that no considerations for closure were initiated for the branches in Baden-Württemberg. However, after the main supply is eliminated, a future of the locations in the southwest makes more than questionable.

The star bakery, which was founded in 1766 and is still headquarters in Hechingen, employs around 1,000 people throughout Germany. The closure could draw a deep swath into the long tradition of the bakery. In addition to the 34 branches in Baden-Württemberg, the industrial back tradition of this region could also be severely affected. The past week has already closed a traditional bakery in Berlin, which further increases uncertainty in the industry.

This is a very emotional matter for customers. When the branches are actually closed, the region not only loses trustworthy sales outlets for fresh baked goods, but also part of their gastronomic history. Customers could be forced to take long distances to buy the usual baked goods.

locations of the branches

The situation remains tense and the next few months will show whether one of the branches is actually imminent. Many in the region hope that a solution can be found to obtain the baking tradition and the estimated star baked products. The challenges in the bakery industry not only cross the local borders, but are also a symptom of global economic problems.