Marktgasse opened in Andermatt

The Andermatt tourism resort has reached another milestone. The opening of “Furkagasse” was celebrated on Saturday. Shops and restaurants have opened on the promenade in the middle of the “new Andermatt”. When it snows lightly – as it did on Saturday, apparently at the request of investor Samih Sawiris – the newly created district has the flair of a winter sports resort that has never existed before.

In addition to an Audi showroom, Furkagasse includes six other “retail areas”. For example, the Frauenschuh boutique. The family business comes from Kitzbühel. “For us, Andermatt is a good opportunity to be present in Switzerland,” says Laurene Frauenschuh, who takes care of fashion design while her brother Simon is managing director. «Switzerland is a country that represents similar values ​​to Austria. That’s why we can identify with it.” The up-and-coming winter sports resort is interesting for them. The boutique was initially opened as a pop-up shop until March. But Laurene Frauenschuh is convinced of its profitability. “There is a nice audience here, you can build on that.”

Quieter times as a stress test

Sandra Freund also took the risk and opened the “Feinedinge” shop. «So far the business has been good. The crucial question will be how things will go in quieter times,” she says. “Feinedinge” offers products from smaller manufacturers that were designed in Switzerland and, if possible, manufactured locally. You can find handmade lanterns, bells or leather wallets. This should appeal to tourists and locals alike. «I have been following developments in Andermatt for a long time. Now a good opportunity has arisen for us,” reveals Sandra Freund.

The gourmet restaurant Igniv by star chef Andreas Caminada has been given a prominent place. The “Igniv”, which, according to the top chef, is pronounced in Romansh with a silent G, is called bird’s nest in German. The concept of sharing is pursued: guests scoop up the gourmet delicacies themselves from the plates and bowls served. Andermatt is now the fifth Igniv location worldwide, alongside Zurich and Bangkok, among others.

The top chef gave a little insight into his career and his recipe for success: “The only keywords are discipline and the passion for cooking.” In addition, it is important to him to offer young people an opportunity to develop as a mentor. In Andermatt he has given responsibility to Hannah van den Nieuwenhuizen as chef de service and Valentin Sträuli as head chef. The star chef promised that he would often be in Andermatt himself to provide support.

New Andermatt should be lively

The official opening of Furkagasse was ultimately accompanied by a large village festival, which was followed by hundreds of onlookers. Samih Sawiris was celebrated by the crowd. “I’m pleased that I’m still welcome,” he said on the small stage where pop star Bastian Baker previously warmed up the crowd. “For me it is a dream that has come true,” said the investor.

When he first studied the drawings twenty years ago, it was important to him for the overall concept that the streets through the resort would be lively – and that the “new Andermatt” would not degenerate into a collection of houses and hotels. “I’m glad that my concerns that the streets might be too narrow didn’t come true.”

He also underlined how important Saturday’s event was to Sawiris by the fact that four of his five children were present. And even his son Naguib, the current CEO of Orascom, spoke to the public, which is considered a rarity. He emphasized that such projects require great foresight. “When we do projects, we don’t think in weeks, months or years, but in decades,” he pointed out. It is also important to always pause, look back and celebrate milestones. He himself is strongly committed to Andermatt, which he has made his home. In front of all the guests he said: “I want to become a full Uri native, get married here and have children.”

“The Marktgasse should be a meeting place,” summarized Raphael Krucker, CEO of Andermatt Swiss Alps. At least on Saturday, the population and tourists met at the joint festival. It remains to be seen whether the residents of the Urschner community will often be found in Furkagasse in the future.