Page 1 - GC-Nov-Dec-21

A NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GERMAN-AMERICANS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK
AUSTRIA • GERMANY • LIECHTENSTEIN • SWITZERLAND
Vol. 9 No. 5 November-December 2021 Issue

Grand opening brings enhanced German Consul General David Gill visits WNY

menu, excitement to Hofbrauhaus by Martin Ederer Art Gallery and construction site,
avid Gill, Consul General
and a visit with the Westminster
of the Federal Republic of Development Initiative.
by Steve Dlugosz
or a long time, it seemed very DGermany, and Eva-Marie In an Oct. 19 reception at the
Marks, Consul Head of Press De- Buffalo Club, Gill met with other
much on the fence if the con-
Fcept of Hofbrauhaus even be- partment, visited Western New members of Western New York’s
York on Oct. 19-20 as guest of Hon- diplomatic corps, which included
ing initiated in Buffalo would be
fantasy or reality, as many site pro- orary Consul Matthew Collard. the vice-consul of Italy, and the con-
Their itinerary included a main stop suls of France and Japan. Also rep-
posals were met with resistance, as
well as the COVID-19 pandemic at the Robert H. Jackson Center in resented were several other German
Jamestown for its special program, community leaders and representa-
presenting further difficulties. How-
ever, the preparation process finally Cold War Secrets Revealed, featur- tives.
ing four expert guests. Gill, one of In his comments Gill remarked
endured and plans were approved,
with the site's soft opening occur- the four featured speakers, present- that while the German-American
ed East German Resistance. transatlantic relationship may have
ring in late September 2020.
One year later, after a successful Born in the former East Germa- challenges, the fundamental rela-
ny, Gill was instrumental in gather- tionship remains strong. Both na-
opening period and implementation David Gill, the Consul-General of tions’ common interests and goals
of traditional German and Bavarian- ing former East German Stasi files
after reunification and clearing the the Federal Republic of Germa- such as preserving the rule of law,
themed food and entertainment, the
lofty expectations and planned-for legal and political challenges of get- ny, at left, and Matthew Collard, advancing democracy and forging
ting them opened to the public. For the Honorary Consul of Germany cooperation and trust, he pointed
brainstorming associated with
Hofbrauhaus Buffalo appears to his monumental efforts in advanc- for Buffalo and Western New out, are cause for continued opti-
ing freedom and democratic trans- York. mism.
have finally come to fruition, cele-
brated with the Sept. 14 official parency, Gill received the Theodor Gill also toured Linde plc in He also expressed happiness that
Heuss Medal for the promotion of the community of Germans and
grand opening with full menu debut Tonawanda. Stops in Buffalo in-
in which both international and na- political education and culture in cluded a visit to the Albright-Knox German-Americans in Buffalo sup-
Germany and Europe in 1991. port those goals.
tional Hofbrauhaus delegates were
on hand and several WNY commu-
nity leaders were present to partake
in the festivities. Additionally, a full German Information Center director
menu was released to rave reviews
from those in attendance.
Hofbrauhaus Buffalo chief oper- drops in at Das Haus Museum in Wheatfield
ating officer Brian Windschitl and
general manager R.J. Filbert were r. Niels von Redecker and
busy coordinating the grand open- his family made a surprise
ing events, and staff, dressed in tra- Dvisit to Das Haus Museum
ditional Bavarian Lederhosen, were in Wheatfield, NY on Oct. 10. He is
on their toes all night providing ex- the director of the German Informa-
ceptional service, with traditional tion Center at the German Embassy
beers flowing and a buffet-themed in Washington DC.
dinner and desert presented. He was interested in seeing how
Beer toasts and song took place Das Haus Museum is preserving the
each half-hour; and the traditional German heritage of Western New
German band The Frankfuhters per- York with its buildings, artifacts
formed to a lively crowd. Dr. Mi- and stories.
chael Moller, director of He was impressed with a fach-
Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany; werk building that was reconstruct-
and Stefan Gastagar, president of ed on the property about six years
Hofbrauhaus America; attended and ago. The building's "bones" are
who come in and love the beer.
were extremely impressed with the original from when it was built in
You've got great music."
grand opening. 1844, but the walls and floor have
Completion of the kitchen and a
"It's a great kickoff!" exclaimed been replaced. Many fackwerk
second-floor mezzanine has enabled
Gastagar. "The perseverance of the buildings still exist in ancestral vil- Dr. von Redecker and his wife, Karen.
an expanded menu and special
last two years, with the COVID lages in Germany today.
events at the 30,000-square-foot
shutdown and other factors, cannot Dr. von Redecker was also able
site, located at 190 Scott St. in Bruessow, Brandenburg and Das the German Citizen, so he can see
be minimized. The efforts of all to see the many donated old books
Downtown Buffalo, on the corner of Haus, to be "sister" museums, the efforts of many in the Buffalo
involved, it's commendable, and we Michigan Avenue. The indoor King and artifacts that have been handed strengthening their international area who are proud of their German
wouldn't be here otherwise." down from the area German fami-
Ludwig Room provides space for connections. heritage. I wish we had time in ad-
Moller, who like Gastagar hails special events, along with the mez- lies. Elaine Timm of the museum vance to prepare for his visit!”
from Munich, was almost at a loss He noticed a framed agreement
zanine and spacious outdoor beer said, “We provided a recent copy of
for words in describing his joy for garden. The Ludwig Room pays between the Heimatmuseum in
Hofbrauhaus Buffalo's progression.
homage to the namesake of the
"There are few words to summa- 1800s Bavarian king whose reign
rize how good it looks, and feels, to is in Munich, but there are fran-
helped to introduce Hefe Weizen as
be here," said Moller. "It's a sweet, well as reinforcing beer in heritage. chised restaurants in the United
sweet feeling. Someone pinch me, States and around the world. Other
The trim upstairs will include tradi-
please. I dreamed of this. One and tional red oak. The tables in the U.S. Hofbrauhaus sites are located
a half years ago, we were faced with in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Colum-
dining areas were made by the
many challenges. More than 400 Amish, strong in stature to support bus, Chicago, Las Vegas, Pitts-
years ago, Hofbrahaus was burgh, St. Louis-Belleville and St.
dancing and other traditional festiv-
launched. Throughout the shut- ities. Petersburg.
down, there was positive develop- The Hofbrauhaus brand is
A keg-tapping ceremony was
ment and feedback on social media, one of many commemorative, tradi- owned by those in Munich, Germa-
and we persevered in Buffalo. All ny, where it was founded in 1589.
tional themed events taking place
the investors, you made this possi- Sept. 14. The owners fly in to the various
ble. Congratulations. I look into U.S., and world-wide sites on occa-
One of nine Hofbrauhaus fran-
each of your eyes, and I love the chises in the United States, Buffa- sion, and each site pays a franchise
look of your passion. You needed fee. The Buffalo franchise has
lo's site has served as a cultural
the great customers you've had, and celebration to its large German (and worked with Wardynski's Meats to
you needed a great chef (Andy implement sausage and related food
other backgrounds) community.
Bouchard, a native of Nuremberg, Hofbrauhaus is owned by 80 inves- items to the menu.
Germany), and you've got both. I Last September, the soft open
tors and is a Bavarian-themed res-
see the way (Bouchard) prepares the taurant that features German beer, menu items included sausages, sau-
food, so lovingly. You've got people Das Haus Museum docents give Dr. von Redecker a tour.
food and music. Its flagship location continued on page 3