Berlin Food Legend Rogacki Struggles with Staff Three Weeks After Reopening

The Rogacki delicatessen, a Charlottenburg institution celebrated for its Backfisch and potato salad, closed its original location in summer 2025 and relaunched as a six-month pop-up at Kreuzberg's Markthalle Neun with new operators. Three weeks in, the debut is troubled: the fresh counter had to close on 26 October due to insufficient staff, and the entire pop-up had already shut about two weeks earlier for the same reason. CEO Jan Spielhagen acknowledged the practical difficulties proved more severe than anticipated, partly attributing them to pandemic-era career changes and autumn illness cycles hitting a small team hard. The broader context is a restaurant and deli sector struggling with chronic labour shortages for years. Spielhagen has been handling maintenance tasks himself to keep the operation running — including taking out rubbish and stocking fridges — and is actively recruiting staff who combine technical skills with high service standards. Despite the setbacks, the operators remain committed to reviving the Rogacki tradition in its temporary new home, with Spielhagen confirming the shop will be open all six days, Monday to Saturday, during the current week.