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End of an era: Café Rotheo closes – what remains for Kattenturm?
The Bistro Rotheo in Kattenturm will close in 2026. Guests express sadness at the end of this inclusive meeting place.
End of an era: Café Rotheo closes – what remains for Kattenturm?
News from Kattenturm brings with it a sad announcement: the popular Café Rotheo will close its doors at the end of February 2026. This confirmation came from Ludwig Lagershausen, the managing director of Sicher GmbH, which works for the Martinsclub. The Rotheo, a place of gathering and inclusion, will be sorely missed by guests, especially a wheelchair user who expressed her sadness at its impending end.
Again Weser report reported that the decision to close had to be made due to financial and personnel difficulties. The economic conditions are anything but rosy: inflation, a shortage of skilled workers and increased prices for energy and food have presented Rotheo with massive challenges. Despite a loyal regular customer base, sales were not enough to keep the bistro profitable. The rental agreement with Brebau has already been terminated and visitors are disappointed by this development.
The Rotheo as a social institution
Bistro Rotheo was much more than just a place for a good cup of coffee or a quick lunch. It was an important social meeting place with an inclusive orientation. Here, employees with and without disabilities worked hand in hand, and the motto “Colorful tastes better” embodied the diversity of the workforce and guests. Loud Human Action The bistro is particularly popular for lunches, coffee breaks and neighborhood meetings. Meal services were also offered for daycare centers and schools.
The corona pandemic put Rotheo to the test. With daycare centers and schools closed and restrictions on the bistro, the team had to find new ways to maintain operations. A successful takeout and delivery service was implemented to continue to serve guests and secure revenue.
Future prospects in the neighborhood
Despite the difficult decision to close, the Martinsclub is optimistic that social services in the Kattenturm district can be maintained. Lagershausen and his team have already announced that Rotheo employees will not have to sit on the streets. Instead, they will receive offers for employment in other inclusive restaurants in Huckelriede or Walle. Expansion and further development of the offerings are also planned at these locations.
The closure of Rotheo leaves a gap that needs to be filled. Again Diaconia notes, it is important for the community to come together to keep the idea of inclusiveness alive. The Martinsclub calls on people to seek political support in order to create new meeting places in Kattenturm and to promote social interaction. It remains to be hoped that the community in Bremen will come together to continue the valuable work of Rotheo in another way.