As reported by the Leipziger Volkszeitung, the Hamburg shoe chain Görtz is ending its presence in Leipzig after almost 30 years. The two pop-up stores in Petersstraße have closed, which, according to notices on the stores, means they are closing for good. Inside, the remaining stock has been packed into boxes, marking the end of an era.
The long-established company, which was founded in 1875, once operated Leipzig's largest shoe store in the historic "Drei Könige" exhibition center on four floors, before financial problems arose due to increasing online trade. The lease for the Messehaus was terminated prematurely on 1 September 2024, and the pop-up stores in the neighboring Petersbogen were the provisional farewell.
The new investor, Bolko Kissling, filed for insolvency for Görtz-Retail GmbH in January 2025. However, the Petersbogen location was operated by Sneak Avenue GmbH, which is also associated with Kissling. The latter opened new locations, but remains vague about its future in Leipzig. Maximilian von Forstner, a company representative, recently expressed hope for a new location and plans to continue using the existing staff.
Meanwhile, the tenancy conditions at the "Drei Könige" exhibition center have changed. A construction sign on site confirms that the fashion label New Yorker is moving into the building. This means that Görtz is finally losing its foot in the Leipzig door, while New Yorker's competitors are positioning themselves strongly in the region.
The changes not only affect Görtz, but also reflect general trends, such as the appearance of US jeans label Guess and Chinese restaurant Lai Hotpot in Leipzig city center. These developments indicate that the retail sector is changing, driven by new players and culinary innovations.
