"As if the price comes from Dad"

After two blows of fate, the Schmitz country butcher shop in Bitburg and Landscheid is back on its feet – Founder’s prize for the three strong female bosses

This article is part of the special topic women in crafts

Everything was fine until July 2021. Then, disaster struck twice at the Schmitz Country Butchery. First, the once-in-a-century flood destroyed their production facility in Neuerburg. Then, one year later, in August 2022, the owner, master butcher Guido Schmitz, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of just 57. Sabine Schmitz lost her husband, and her two daughters, Julia and Lena, lost their father. Although these blows of fate had knocked the rug out from under their feet, the three women carried on. 

Sabine, Lena, Julia and the deceased family father Guido Schmitz (from left) Photo: © Landfleischerei Schmitz

Giving up the family business wasn't an option for them. "It had to continue somehow. Dad would have wanted that too," says Lena (28), the younger sister. Guido and Sabine Schmitz took over the butcher shop in Neuerburg in 2001. The production facility remained there, but the retail store was relocated to Bitburg in 2017. A year before the flood, another butcher shop was added in Landscheid. The three powerhouse women are now continuing this life's work: butcher's saleswoman Sabine Schmitz, her daughter Julia, a master butcher and business economist in the skilled trades, and Lena, a cook and former captain of the German junior national chef team. 

Great attention and sympathy

"Many have read about us in the press," says Lena. "The attention and sympathy were even greater as a result." But this time, the three women don't want to talk about the blows of fate. Instead, they want to talk about the overwhelming solidarity they've experienced over the past two years. From business partners who temporarily provided them with production space or waived a delivery charge. From regular customers who waited seven months for the country butcher shop to reopen. From people who stood in the shop with flowers, cards, and chocolates. From good friends and neighbors who continually encouraged them. Above all, the Schmitzs want one thing: to look forward. Never forget the past, but let it rest. 

"It was a huge challenge to keep the business going during this very difficult time for us," emphasizes Sabine Schmitz. "The financial pressure was enormous. Costs like rent, wages, and other expenses continued even after we were closed for a good six months. Then we thoroughly reconsidered our framework and partially restructured it." The women are now more conscious about their time: "Our shops are now open Wednesday to Saturday, Mondays are dedicated to office work, and Tuesdays are spent at the slaughterhouse."

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"We fight every day"

"Today, we plan more medium-term than long-term," says Julia (31). "We struggle every day and have learned to look after ourselves as well. Working 24/7? We only do what we can do well. And if something doesn't work out, we accept it. In two or three years, we'll make plans for the future again." Reducing travel also saves valuable time. "After the flood disaster, we had to commute between seven places due to circumstances," reports Lena. "Fortunately, that's over." So the Schmitzes have slowly found their feet again – with a lot of outside support. The whole family is pitching in: Sabine's sister Christine Leisen, her parents Brigitte and Günter Schomers, and goddaughter Marie Leisen. "We couldn't have done all this alone," says Sabine Schmitz. Her daughters nod vehemently. As almost always, mother and daughters agree. 

Compassion, solidarity, a sense of community, and word of mouth aren't the only reasons why the local butcher shops in Bitburg and Landscheid are so popular. Customers also particularly value the high quality of their products. "We produce 100% of our meat products ourselves," says Julia. "We're very proud of that. All of our animals come from regional partner farms. Conscious nutrition is becoming increasingly important to many customers, and with our products, the production chain is traceable from A to Z." 

"With heart and love"

At the award ceremony for the Rhineland-Palatinate Women Founders Award Photo: © Alexander Sell/ISB

Once things have settled down again, the Schmitzs would like to offer training. "Our skilled trades are simply fantastic!" says Lena. "Young people shouldn't be afraid to learn a skilled trade. We want to encourage them that it's worth fighting for their dreams." In light of their moving story, the Trier Chamber of Skilled Crafts nominated the brave and energetic trio of Sabine, Julia, and Lena Schmitz for the Rhineland-Palatinate Women Founders' Award. Their success was a success: At the end of 2023, the Schmitzs were honored in the Business Succession category for their courage to make a fresh start. The award comes with a cash prize of 5.000 euros.

"Dad always wanted us to be rewarded for our work. He often told us, 'Girls, you're the benchmark!' And even today, we hear from others how proud he was of our hard work," says Lena. "It feels as if the award came from Dad, or as if the four of us were receiving it. That's another reason why the award ceremony was so emotional for us. The recognition reinforces our path. And it shows us that we fought for the right thing. So we'll keep going – with heart and love!"

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