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Darmstadt fashion house looks back on tradition, vision and three generations
For 90 years and three generations, the HENSCHEL fashion house group, headquartered in Darmstadt, has stood for fashion, quality, and consistency – proving that tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive. The family business, whose distinctive flagship store is an integral part of Darmstadt's market square, was transferred by mutual agreement from the founding Rothschild family to the newly established Henschel & Ropertz KG in 1935. Dr. Erich Henschel and Hans Ropertz assumed leadership.
Always kept their eye on the future
Difficult times followed, culminating in the devastating air raid on Darmstadt in 1944. However, just three years after the war ended, Henschel & Ropertz regained its strength and reopened the ground floor of its heavily damaged flagship store. From then on, the company's fortunes improved dramatically: With unbridled energy, courage, and creativity, the next few decades saw continuous expansions and renovations to maintain its position as a leading local retailer. In the 1970s, stores in Michelstadt and Heidelberg further strengthened the family business's presence beyond Darmstadt. In recent decades, the store on Darmstadt's market square has transformed from a department store into a pure fashion house with complementary lifestyle products.
The people make HENSCHEL what it is
Following the departure of the Ropertz family in 2003, the Henschel/Koch family, with managing directors Kai Brune and Dr. Moritz Koch, has remained the sole owner to this day. Even the COVID-19 pandemic and vacant storefronts in city centers couldn't dampen the company's drive and philosophy. "HENSCHEL thrives on the people who visit us. We want to inspire our customers," says Dr. Moritz Koch, managing partner. With successful customer loyalty programs, attractive fashion promotions, and innovative services, the teams at all three locations ensure an unforgettable and, above all, personal shopping experience – as they do in other stores in Lübeck, Gießen, and Fulda.
Investing in the future
With a multi-million euro investment in its Darmstadt site two years ago, HENSCHEL is once again demonstrating its future viability. "We have our sights firmly set on reaching 100 locations and are working towards it with creativity, passion, and dedication," says Kai Brune, also a managing partner.
(PR)
ABOUT HENSCHEL
The fashion and lifestyle company HENSCHEL is a third-generation family business that has been setting trends for 90 years. With an exclusive selection of national and international brands for women, men, and children, as well as a comprehensive range of services – including personal shopping, an alteration service, and a customer loyalty card – HENSCHEL offers a unique shopping experience in a welcoming atmosphere. In Darmstadt, a rooftop restaurant completes the lifestyle concept. With the acquisition of the Köhler stores in Gießen and Fulda, the HENSCHEL Group is not only strengthening its market position but also demonstrating that brick-and-mortar retail continues to offer growth and development potential.
