Job Secured: Gürsel Gönulalan Begins New Employment
The sudden closure of the Kaufland store in Fellbach-Schmiden on May 17 has left several local businesses, including gourmet entrepreneur Gürsel Gönülalan, scrambling to find new opportunities. Gönülalan, who had run his business in the Kaufland branch in Merowingerstraße for many years, was among the tenants and subtenants who were informed about the closure on February 7.
Following the closure, Gönülalan felt demoralized and struggled to find new employment. However, with the help of local economic promoter Anette Popp and the city of Fellbach, he has since found a new job at the butcher's counter at Rewe in Oeffingen, and his wife has found a new job at Rewe in Fellbach's Buhlstraße.
Lyuben Pashov, the hairdresser who operated his salon within the Kaufland store, has also found new rooms in Fellbach and will continue to operate under the same name from September.
While the closure of the Kaufland store was sudden and unexpected, affected small business owners can access various support options through regional entrepreneurial and economic development programs. One such program is the Stuttgart Region's Startup Welcome Package, which offers resources, networking opportunities, and a focus on IT hardware innovation.
The BioRegion STERN network, active in the Stuttgart region, provides a platform for startups, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to exchange ideas and receive venture capital insights. While more biotech-focused, local businesses could gain valuable contacts and financing opportunities.
The local Chamber of Commerce (IHK) and municipal economic development offices in Fellbach likely provide advisory services, funding guidance, and support to small businesses affected by market changes such as a major retailer closing.
Networking platforms and regional business support organizations, such as AGROLAB, could serve as models or partners for collaboration, though direct aid specifics for Kaufland-related closures are not detailed in the provided results.
While no direct mention of emergency aid or compensation specifically tied to the Kaufland closure in Fellbach was found, these established regional programs and entrepreneurial networks represent the primary avenues for business support and adaptation. For the most precise and immediate assistance, affected small business owners should contact the Fellbach municipal economic development offices, Stuttgart Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Stuttgart), and Stuttgart Region Startup initiatives, including the Startup Welcome Package organizers.
The owner of the building complex with adjacent parking garage, the car dealership Kloz, did not provide any information about future plans for the location at the time of this report. The press department of Kaufland announced the closure of the branch to the works council and employees in Fellbach at the beginning of February.
Despite the challenges posed by the Kaufland closure, local businesses like Gönülalan's continue to adapt and find new opportunities in the vibrant Fellbach business community.
- In the face of the Kaufland store closure, Gönülalan, a small-business owner, struggled to find new employment but eventually found a job at the butcher's counter at Rewe in Oeffingen, and his wife found a new job at Rewe in Fellbach's Buhlstraße, demonstrating the resilience of small businesses in the Fellbach community.
- In an effort to find new opportunities after the Kaufland closure, local businesses can access various support options through regional entrepreneurial and economic development programs like the Stuttgart Region's Startup Welcome Package, which offers resources, networking opportunities, and a focus on IT hardware innovation for careers.
