City downtown opens new establishment, specializing in Asian delicacies.
In the heart of Ravensburg, a vibrant new business has opened its doors, bringing a taste of Sri Lanka to the bustling streets of Herrenstraße. The shop, now run by Wickramaratna Bandara Herath Mudiyanselage (Wick) and his wife Nilmini Subawikrama Gama Arachchige (Nilmini), was previously an Italian gourmet shop named "Il Tartufo".
Originally immigrants from Sri Lanka due to economic problems and a civil war, Wick and his family found a new home in Germany. Wick lived in Italy for twelve years before moving to Germany in 2018, where he befriended many German tourists and received their support during his relocation.
The couple, who are open-minded in their faith, saw a unique opportunity in Ravensburg. Many Germans have expressed interest in Sri Lanka and its products, making the location an ideal choice for their business. Claus Lichtner, the previous landlord, supported this cooperative spirit in the area and rented the shop to Wick and Nilmini.
The shop primarily sells Sri Lankan food and drinks, but Wick and Nilmini have plans to expand their offerings. They aim to provide items such as batik clothing, products made from coconut shells, and wood handicrafts. In addition, they hope to offer ayurvedic products and additional handicrafts sourced directly from Sri Lanka, with the goal of supporting economically disadvantaged artisans in their homeland.
The spirit of cooperation among the shops in Herrenstraße is evident, with business owners not viewing each other as competitors but as allies. This collaborative approach extends to Wick and Nilmini's customer service, as they plan to provide advice on Sri Lankan food, recipes, travel, and tourism-related matters to their customers.
The shop is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Sundays. The customers often express enthusiasm for Sri Lanka and its culture, which inspires Wick and Nilmini to share more of their homeland with Ravensburg. A Christian priest blessed the business during its opening, and Wick and Nilmini, who are Buddhists, view this as a positive and meaningful act.
As Wick and Nilmini continue to work as cleaners at night, hoping to reduce their hours in the future, they look forward to growing their business and sharing more of Sri Lanka's rich culture with the people of Ravensburg.
