Bernitter village shop: lifesavers for the community and prizes for volunteer work!

Bernitter village shop: lifesavers for the community and prizes for volunteer work!

In tranquil Bernitt, the small village shop, which opened its doors in 2016, has written a remarkable success story. The shop is not just a shop, but also a true heart of the village community. With six part-time employees, he ensures that local people get everything they need. The extensive selection ranges from groceries and drugstore items to dairy and frozen products. The village shop is currently planning a celebration to mark its tenth anniversary, which is another reason for joy and celebration.

In November 2024, the store was expanded with an extension. With an increase in the sales and café area from 80 to almost 150 square meters, the working conditions for the employees have also improved significantly. Daily lunch meals have established themselves as an important source of revenue; Changing lunch dishes and snack offers attract numerous customers.

A place for community

However, the village shop not only lives from sales, but also from the tireless commitment of the volunteers who keep the community running. Ulrike Klatt, the chairwoman of the board, who is also active in the field of renewable energies, is a prime example of the commitment of the volunteers. Their work, together with the other members of the 48-member cooperative, shows how important such a contact point is for the villagers. The shop was founded after the previous consumer shop closed in order to maintain social life and local supplies.

Regularly organized events, including citizens' evenings and markets with regional traders, create additional meeting spaces for the village community. A post office is also integrated into the store, which further underlines the attractive central location. The village shop in Bernitt has established itself not only as a business, but also as a social center that enriches people's everyday lives.

Recognition and role model function

The village shop received a special award by winning first prize in a competition run by the Ministry of Economics for local supplies in rural areas, as reported by nordkurier.de. This appreciation of the cooperative's services underlines the positive development of the store, which is firmly anchored in the village community.

There are similar role models in nearby Neusitz: A village community there was awarded a state prize for its efforts, which highlights the importance of voluntary work in rural areas. As wochenblatt-dlv.de reports, Bavaria's Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber praised the inventiveness of the people there. These awards are not only an appreciation, but also an inspiration for others to become actively involved in their communities.

At a time when many rural structures are threatened, the Bernitter village shop shows how commitment, creativity and a sense of community can maintain a permanent place in the village. The history of the store is therefore a reason for hope for many similar initiatives in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and beyond.