With Bernd Pfeil, a former IT consultant from Saarbrücken, the popular excursion destination "Haus Lochfeld" has had a new tenant since May of this year. This is not the first time that District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, Mandelbachtal Mayor Maria Verneulen and Wendelin Lonsdorf, Mayor of Wittersheim, have paid a flying visit to Bernd Pfeil.
As a late-career restaurateur and managing director of the Kleinblittersdorf brewery "Tiny Brew", the 65-year-old fulfilled his heart's desire to be able to serve guests with regional specialities. For the municipality of Mandelbachtal and the special purpose association "Saar-Blies-Gau/Auf der Lohe", the owner of the cultural landscape centre "Haus Lochfeld", this was a gain after the catering business in Lochfeld had been dormant for almost two years. This, in turn, was greatly regretted and missed by day trippers, as this gem is the perfect place to stop for refreshments on hikes and walks. This was also recognised by Bernd Pfeil, who gladly agreed to revive Haus Lochfeld with his culinary service, knowing full well that this would require personal commitment and perseverance.
How did it come about? As is so often the case - and in Saarland, where someone knows someone who knows someone - the contact between Mandelbachtal's mayor Maria Vermeulen and Bernd Pfeil came about by chance. After initial discussions, they quickly reached an agreement on the business side of things, so that Bernd Pfeil took advantage of the Ascension Day holiday to make his debut at Haus Lochfeld.
Since then, guests have been supplied with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks as well as snacks via the kiosk. The homemade pancakes are already making a name for themselves and the freshly tapped, home-brewed beer has also found its fans. Not forgetting the delicious cakes from the patisserie.
While the beer garden with its numerous seating areas offers a fantastic view of the Mandelbach Valley, the interior of the Cultural Landscape Centre can also be used for a relaxing break.
However, as the business is heavily dependent on the weather due to the outdoor bar, the summer season has been "rather mixed" so far, as Bernd Pfeil emphasised during the on-site visit. "Of course, our open-air cinema has also suffered as a result, which is almost magical when the weather is dry up here," Pfeil regretted. However, the dedicated landlord left no doubt that he is open to smaller or larger events in order to offer people in the region something entertaining. So far, the Sunday live music acts have also been an integral part of the summer programme. "Red Meets Blue" have been announced for the matinee on 15 September from 12 noon to 3 pm and "Memphis Seliger" for 29 September.
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, Chairman of the Saar-Blies-Gau/Auf der Lohe Association, said: "I am very pleased that we have found a committed operator for the kiosk at 'Haus Lochfeld' in Bernd Pfeil. The pandemic and its consequences have put a noticeable damper on the catering industry, even for the outside world. However, a well-positioned, regional catering offer is essential for our biosphere and sustainable tourism in our region. I am therefore very grateful to Bernd Pfeil for taking on this task and I wish him every success, which I hope will translate into a large number of guests. During a visit here three years ago - when he was Environment Minister - Interior Minister Reinhold Jost said that the Cultural Landscape Centre in the municipality of Mandelbachtal was one of the most beautiful properties we have in Saarland. I can only agree with that. It's worth a visit in many respects."
Planned events can be found on the Internet at www.tiny-brew.com/veranstaltungen. Bernd Pfeil would also like to be present in the late autumn and winter months on days to be selected. The opening hours until October are Thursday from 5 to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 2 to 8 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
Bernd Pfeil is also available to answer any questions on (0177) 3798521.