Even Eiscafés' that are newly renovated seems to be heavily influenced by the 1990s. The menus more than anything else. Text with drop shadow or some glow aesthetic. Logos that resemble MS Word '94 clipart.

The interior design offen looks like some kind of postmodern Memphis style knockoff.

Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way.

by zebutron

32 comments

  1. I guess it’s some kind of nostalgia thing. Many Eiscafés retain some sort of retro charm, because it’s kind of part of their identity. Though that usually pertains to more 50s and 60s retro elements, not 90s.

  3. They’re usually full when they’re open (weather permitting), so why invest to change anything?. Especially in a country where the locals aren’t big fans of change.

  6. Most Germans don’t care and don’t like change. This Gelateria in Italy would probably be a tourist trap. Most I’ve been to in Germany that look like this certainly are a scam lol

  7. Eiscafés have always looked the same as long as I can remember, only difference was when I was a kid you’d have the smokers section (when I had my first cigarette, I thought it tasted like ice cream 😆). I think it’s great that they never change! Most rely heavy on the terrace or take away anyways, and prices are already high enough these days.. if these owners have some money to spare, in my opinion they should rather raise their staffs salary instead of investing in some instagrammable furniture that will be outdated in 5 years.

  8. Valid question, and I’d like to add to it by asking why Eiscafés have the most uncomfortable furniture… wobbly chrome chairs that give you a back ache or stiff plastic sofas. Coffee shops have managed to evolve into comfy-loungy places, Eiscafés next please!!

  9. Does the icecream taste better, when there is some modern design or do they sell more of it because some cool artwork is painted on the wall?

  11. Why change? I don’t care about design as long as ice cream is good there.

  13. Mostly we’re talking about small family-run businesses: they might be great at ice cream, but not so concerned about fashion and design.

    And why would they be? People come for the ice cream, not the decor. So long as it’s clean and well-maintained, nobody really cares.

    If there is a strategy behind the interior design, pastel shades were very popular in the 90s — and it so happens that pastels make a place seem light, airy and cool (in a temperature sense), which might be an advantage if you’re trying to attract customers on hot summer days.

  14. you sound like our marketing department trying to pretend theyre important.

  15. My guess is that it’s the same reason why most inexpensive Asian (“China”) restaurants in Germany have the same decor.

    Because they all look the same, the customers will understand the visual cues and know what to expect.

  18. Germany is stuck in the 90s. So it’s actually a contemporary design

  19. Wait until you realize that most of them don’t even have a website nor a Twitter account.

  20. Since 1993 all Italians have the right to move and reside in Germany, even if they are not employed. My guess would be that this marks the foundation date of many ice cream shops in Germany.

  21. Because it doesn’t really matter. Weather, quality of the ice cream and attractiveness of the location are the important factors. Also, people might enjoy the nostalgie of it. It’s not unique to Eiscafés either, mist Dönerläden haven’t updated their corporate identity over the laft 30 years either, it’s still the same design on the packaging, the menus etc…

  23. Same with bowling alleys, because the logo/quality of the logo and graphics has zero financial impact on drawing customers. People will still always go to ice cream shops and bowling alleys because they like ice cream and bowling.

  24. Its the law. Written down in §8 | 2 EGH (Eisdielen Gerichtshof)

  25. If the Eiscafé spends money on a new logo, the scoop price will increase by another 20-30 Cent!

  26. The customers like the old style and hope the old prices will come back as well 😉

  27. To whom do you think you can still sell art fonts for Word97

  29. If you’re just some random guy, who wants to open a business, you don’t have a highly trained marketing team at your disposal that takes care of things like branding or store design. So you just do what you think looks nice and maybe you take some inpiration from neighbouring stores, but largely use your own design, which more often than not, isn’t really “professional” or “modern”. I would even go as far and say that most people who open up restaurants see this as a waste of money, hiring a company that takes care of things that are not related to the food you want to sell.

    that being said, it gives them so much charme. Way better than the almost clinical minimalist design we declare as modern.

  30. Most of them are just using templates and ready made decor

  32. They have probably been there for a while and haven’t updated the design since it was still modern design.

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