Watch Video"Old Heidelberg" a Colorado Springs tradition closes
Story By: Bill Folsom
Source: KOAA
A sad day was also a very sweet day for a lot of people in Colorado Springs. It’s sad because Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop is closing its doors after more than forty years in business. It’s sweet because on its last day the store was packed with people in for a last taste of their favorite pastry.
As customers wait their turn they share memories of events in their life accented by dessert from Old Heidelberg. One man’s overheard telling another customer, “They did our wedding cake. My grandparents used to come here.”
Some changed plans to stop by before the store closed. Sandy Fuentes of Colorado Springs said, “I got a phone call a couple of hours ago and it was like I've got to get up and get dressed and get to Old Heidelberg." It’s a good thing she did, almost everything was sold out by noon. One customer commented to a salesperson, “You're not going to make it to 4:00 today. You're not going to have anything left."
Owner Carl Schoenberger started working at the shop doing dishes when his dad purchased the business in 1966. He says, “1974 I went to Germany for three years for the apprenticeship for pastry." Decades later he’s calling it quits and moving to Florida. “The mileage got to me,” and for some time he says, “my wife’s been after me to do a few less hours.” His wife is grateful, but customers wish the shop wasn’t closing. “I’ve gotten chewed out several time already, says Schoenberger with a smile, “and a lot of well wishes”
