Wim Westerveld

Why create a project about Spätis? The Späti (a shop that keeps late hours and sells food, drinks, and other everyday goods) serves as a gathering place for people as well as a stage for the stories they tell and the lives they lead. These types of shops can be found in every major city in Germany! Although they go by different names – the Wasserhäusschen of Frankfurt, the Trinkhallen of Dortmund, and the Kioske of Hamburg – they always serve the same purpose: They represent a microcosm of the respective city and its districts. They serve several functions for residents and other customers; beyond a point of sale, they are community hubs, places to work, spots to socialize, miniature supermarkets, and places to communicate with others around the globe. Christian Klier’s book about the Spätis of Berlin takes a close, highly subjective, and personal look at these important local spaces.