Grazers say goodbye

End of an era: Grazer Leder H. Schuster closes down

Hermann Heinz Schuster would have liked to run the business for a few more years.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Since 1898, Leder H. Schuster has been known among the people of Graz for its leather goods. But now the store has to close without a successor - for health reasons. Owner Hermann Heinz Schuster talks about the history of the traditional business and the special features of leather.

"For the profession, you not only need specialist knowledge, but also a love of the material," says Hermann Heinz Schuster. He is standing in his store on Schmiedgasse in Graz, with the warehouse behind him, a basket of large pieces of leather in front of him and the familiar smell in the air. "Until now, I've never been on vacation for more than ten days," says the owner of the last leather store in Graz.

Leather accessories of all kinds are still on sale here until the end of June.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

But at the end of June, Leder H. Schuster will have to close its doors for good - and Schuster himself will have to retire. "I wanted to carry on until I'm 70, but I'm in very poor health," says the 68-year-old. "My lungs aren't doing well and I can no longer manage to stand in the store all day." A hard blow, as he had been running the restaurant since 1994.

A piece of Graz history
The business was founded back in 1898 - by Schuster's father's uncle. His father then took over in 1925 and worked here until his death. The business remained in operation throughout both world wars, with only the address changing once: originally located in Neutorgasse, the store moved to the now well-known location in Schmiedgasse in 1955. Schuster took over the business at the age of 39.

Schuster worked 50 to 60 hours a week in the business himself.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

He had already started working for his father after graduating from high school and has seen quite a few changes since then. "In the past, it was mainly saddlers, tastemakers, shoemakers and orthopaedists who bought from us. Today, it's more private customers or artisans." They buy leather straps, shoe accessories or even offcuts at a price per kilo, which can be further processed. Most of the products are from Italy and Germany, from cattle, sheep or goats. "Leather is a very versatile material," says Schuster.

Leder H. Schuster has many regular customers.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

At this moment, an elderly woman comes in through the door - she wants some advice. Does she come here often? "I shop here often and have done for a long time. Leder Schuster will be sorely missed," she replies. Schuster is particularly sorry for his three long-standing employees. "I never played boss. I also worked 50 to 60 hours a week myself, but now I have to let them all go."

Because there is no successor for the traditional business. "I've been looking for three years, but I can't find anyone. But selling leather is a lucrative business if you have the right expertise," says the 68-year-old. Before the store, which is rented from the city of Graz, gets a new tenant at the end of June, there will be a big sale. "We're already down 33 percent on some goods," says Schuster.