Ronny Seifert is the fourth generation to sell Frankfurter Dippe

Ronny Seifert is already in the fourth generation selling ceramic goods – currently at the Frankfurt Christmas market.

Frankfurt – In the middle of a gray-blue sea of ​​Bembeln, Ronny Seifert serves his customers. On this Thursday morning, the line already stretches through half the tent. With practiced movements, Seifert wraps hand cheese tins, teapots and cider jugs in wrapping paper.

The customer conversation is often in English, with a “Grazias” occasionally uttered here and there. The 43-year-old in the thick down jacket with the Eintracht emblem is already in the fourth generation selling traditional goods at the Frankfurt Christmas market. The Seifert pottery is one of the few companies that still produces the stoneware itself.

The jugs, cans and vats made of ceramic, also known as Dippe in Frankfurt, actually come from the Hunsrück, where Seifert lives and works. His family has been selling the goods at the Christmas market for over 60 years. He doesn’t know exactly when the business was founded. But he is certain that “there must definitely have been an 18 in front of it.”

Frankfurter Dippe: “The Bembel will still be like this in 1000 years”

His uncle Rainer Seifert, who also works at the stand, still remembers when the Christmas market was still on the Römerberg. He has noticed how the cityscape has changed over the decades. Those were different times back then; people didn’t have anything like a tent. When it rained, you had to empty the water from the jugs.

It was also more common back then to preserve sauerkraut, cured meat, carrots or beans in ceramic vats. A wooden board was taken and the food covered with vinegar was weighed down with stones at the bottom of the vessel. Seiferts still sell vats for canning today – but with a matching lid.

According to Ronny Seifert, the special thing about ceramics is that, unlike plastic containers, they do not take on any taste or smell. After the herring you can store hand cheese in the same container. The ceramic is also acid-resistant and extremely durable. “The Bembel will still be standing like this in 1000 years,” says Rainer Seifert. Another special property of ceramics is that they keep food cool. This also ensures that it is particularly cold in the sales tent in the morning because the goods release the cold that they have stored over the night. A small heater behind the counter provides at least some warmth.

Online trading is part of normal day-to-day business

It takes a whole week for the tent and the goods to be set up. The preparations are a lot of work. The wide range has developed in recent years. You can no longer make ends meet with traditional dips alone. Seifert also sells souvenirs: shopping bags, magnets, smokehouses and tablecloths.

The design of the dip has also changed over time. In addition to the classic gray-blue containers for cider, butter or onions, they are also available in a modern matt black version.

In addition to international customers, customers also include regular customers and Frankfurt restaurants, for whom the Bembel jugs are often personalized. As he collects money from a customer, Seifert says, “There are also regular American customers who come back every year and buy a new ceramic house for their collection.”

In addition to selling at the Christmas market, Seifert has already offered his goods at the Paulskirchenfest and the Museumsuferfest this year. Normal day-to-day business also includes online trading, which means processing orders, picking up goods and packing packages. Products are even sold on Etsy and Ebay. “For some people who discover a product here at the Christmas market that is too heavy to carry, the online shop is very practical.” The prices are the same everywhere. Seifert doesn’t want to ask for more at the Christmas market.

The family business makes some of its own pottery

The family business makes some of its own pottery, but also receives ceramics from two other potteries. The bembels are hand-turned and each one is unique. Around 30 to 40 people make pottery to supply Seiferts with goods. Only a few work steps are automated. However, there is a staff shortage, and he is currently urgently looking for skilled workers for the classic blue cup with a white name. Finding someone who can master this special ceramic painting technique is not easy.

In addition to the stand sales and online shop, Seifert’s mother runs a shop in the Hunsrück. “My mother helped set up the shop and my father also calls here every day to ask how things are going at the Christmas market, it’s just his baby,” says Seifert.

His parents never pressured him to take over the store. After studying logistics, it became clear that he wanted to continue the family business. “I’ve been involved since I was a child, and I put my heart and soul into it.”

Seifert wants to give his daughters just as much freedom to make their own decisions. But that’s not an issue at the moment anyway, because the twins are just seven years old. Today the two girls are coming to visit the Christmas market. It is sometimes hard when he is not at home in the Hunsrück for weeks because of the Christmas market. Nevertheless, he says: “As long as I can and stay healthy, I will continue this work.”

Ronny Seifert also has a similar passion for the city of Frankfurt. “I just like the mentality and the people here. I always meet regular customers here who my father already knows.” Having time to chat, especially during the week, is fun. Communication with the city is also smooth and nice every year. You just feel welcome. “Even Mike Josef has a picture of us at home.” (Pauline Klink)

The stand The Seifert pottery is located in front of the Paulskirche until December 21st. The Christmas market is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.