The Kis-Gerbeaud (“Small Gerbeaud”) has long been recommended by guidebooks and other leading guides to savvy travelling as a cheap alternative to getting savagely ripped-off at the famous Gerbeaud cukrászda tourist trap overlooking the square around the corner. Unfortunately, the less expensive, standing section of the cake complex looks to be doomed unless Fidesz District V mayor Antal Rogán (pictured) can step in to save it from becoming just another restaurant for unsuspecting out-of-towners.
The Gerbaud Ház has been owned by German businessman Erwin Müller since 1995. Katalin Pintér, managing director of the company that operates the complex, believes that the privatization contract signed 12 years ago does not protect the Kis-Gerbaud. She told index.hu that while there are a few regular customers who are currently doing everything in order to save the café, standing cafés are no longer “fashionable” in downtown Budapest.
According to the same Index article linked above, Rogán acted immediately when he learned that the “talponálló kávézó” (“standing café”) in the Vörösmarty tér complex would be closed to make space for a sit-down restaurant. He contacted management and threatened to go to court to save the Kis-Gerbaud, adding that the local government will not give permission to use the space for any other purpose.
Rogán pointed out that it is a European tradition for famous cafés to sell their products at a lower price at a standing section, and leaders of any town would object if these establishments were closed for business reasons. The mayor added that the national privatization agency (ÁPV Zrt) believes that the privatization contract for the building does not allow the function of the Kis-Gerbaud to be changed. Let’s hope they’re right.
