End of an era: Sulingen's toy paradise closes forever!

End of an era: Sulingen's toy paradise closes forever!

Rainer Hellms, the owner of the renowned toy and model railway specialist shop "Toys & Trains" in Sulingen, has recently announced that he will close his business at the end of the year. After almost three decades in the industry, this is the last step for him to withdraw and enjoy more peace.

The business is closed because Hellms could not find a suitable successor. Despite intensive efforts to have talks with potential successors in the area, the goal was unsuccessful. When the businessman turns 65 next year, he would like to free himself from the obligations of professional life. "I have thought about it for a long time and would like to take the last phase of life more calmly," says Hellms, whose children have oriented themselves differently.

A first step towards a controlled closure was already the closure of the branch in Diepholz, which had existed for 20 years and had developed from the takeover of another toy business. Hellms wanted to secure his freedom of action towards the suppliers. He emphasizes that all of his employees have found new jobs, except for a part -time force that will be retired.

The owner particularly emphasizes its customers and would like to offer them the opportunity to redeem their vouchers already acquired in good time until the end of November. After this period, Krümpelbeck GmbH in Vechta will process the concerns of the remaining customers by December 24th.

"The past few years have been really nice", reflects Hellms and looks back on the almost 30 years of independence that had been predicted only two years after the beginning. He remembered his first steps in the industry in 1976 when he started an apprenticeship as a retail merchant. After various stations in Nienburg and the establishment of his own business on just 40 square meters in a former bicycle workshop, his business found a permanent location in Langen Strasse 70.

The range included toys, model railways and model building items, and Hellms emphasizes the importance of a competent staff for the success of its company. "It was always reliable, and this kept the business," said the owner. Despite changing market conditions, the area was "healthy" accordingly - it paid back all coronaintations and was able to continue to offer popular products such as Lego, board games and puzzles.

Now the loyal customers of "Toys & Trains" only have to look around for other contact points, since the business finally closes at the end of the year. "For me, the controlled retreat is coming," summarizes Hellms and looks back proudly for his successful years.