From classroom to farm store: The story of Grace Schatz
and her RegioHerz
In fall 2020, Grace Schatz opened her store, the RegioHerz. She had the vision of bringing the farm store into the heart of the city to offer the people of St.Gallen easier access to fresh, regional products. In a few months, RegioHerz will move to Blumenmarktplatz in the former Café Zentrum, expanding from 80 m2 of retail space to over 180 m2.
From studying in New York to farm shop owner in St.Gallen
The founder of RegioHerz, Grace Schatz, grew up in tranquil Liechtenstein. She has studied and lived in cities such as New York, Paris and Montpellier. She then worked as a secondary school teacher and now runs a farm store in the city of St.Gallen. How did this come about?
Grace Schatz in her "city farm store", the RegioHerz.
When she was young, she wanted to leave Liechtenstein, it was too small for her, she wanted to see the big world. Then, after a few years in big cities and after her studies in French, English and international relations, she felt homesick and returned to Liechtenstein. Grace worked as a teacher for many years and always enjoyed her exchanges with the pupils.
When the coronavirus lockdown came in 2020, she decided to take a break. During this time, farm stores were booming in Switzerland. Grace Schatz also noticed this boom. She has family and friends who live in the city of St.Gallen. There are fewer farm stores in the city than in the countryside. This is how the idea of RegioHerz came about. She decided to bring the farm store to the city and opened her store on Bahnhofstrasse in the fall of 2020.
In this way, RegioHerz also helped small-scale farmers and producers during the difficult coronavirus period, when there were no markets or trade fairs and they therefore had fewer sales opportunities.
Regional treasures right on the doorstep
The products in RegioHerz come from farmers and small producers in the cantons of Thurgau, St.Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Innerrhoden and Liechtenstein, always with a focus on regionality and seasonality.
From fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese to handmade natural cosmetics, RegioHerz offers a wide range of products, including creative gift baskets.
The concept works in such a way that the producer rents a shelf for three, six or twelve months. This allows the products to be sold directly in the heart of St.Gallen. A 20% commission from the sales price goes to RegioHerz. RegioHerz takes care of invoicing, stock, marketing, sales staff and so on.
"For producers who rent a shelf at RegioHerz, it's an all-round carefree package."
Grace Schatz, founder and managing director of RegioHerz
RegioHerz goes OLMA
During the OLMA, the RegioHerz will be presenting itself as a gourmet market at stand no. KB.005 in Hall 1 of the St.Galler Kantonalbank. During the eleven days of the trade fair, Grace will be on site with four different producers each day. Grace thus gives them easy access to the trade fair audience and at the same time shows visitors the culinary diversity of Eastern Switzerland.
A look into the future
The future looks promising for RegioHerz. In February 2025, it is due to relocate - from Bahnhofstrasse to Blumenmarktplatz, where the store will not only offer more space, but will also be barrier-free and therefore more accessible for all customers. With plans for a small lunchtime offer and hopes of expanding into other Swiss cities, Grace dreams of taking the concept of the "farm store in the city" far beyond St.Gallen.
Our series "Stories from St.Gallen's trade and industry".
In the "Stories from the business world" series, we regularly present a business from the city of St.Gallen. We follow the relay principle, whereby the business portrayed always recommends the next business. Grace Schatz would like to see David Vincze from Kündig Feinkost AG featured next.
