THE RESTAURANT: THE ORIGINAL PLACE TO MEET

She is a passionate woman-of-theatre with a strong penchant for all things beautiful and has been President of the small Werdenberg theatre fabriggli since 2005. Almost 20 years ago, he turned his hobby into a profession and created Secli Weinwelt in Buchs. Kathrin Schertler-Secli and Ivan Secli, the new owners of Gasthaus Traube, have been going through life together for 36 years. Both love people and describe «encounters» as the main motivation behind their actions. The one question that runs like a common theme through their life is: «What does a person need to feel good in life and how can architecture projects positively support them in different life situations?»

Dear Kathrin, dear Ivan, can you reveal to me what was on your to-do list today?

Kathrin: I didn’t have much to do with Gasthaus Traube today (laughs) …

Ivan: ... I had two meetings in the morning related to the locking systems for Gasthaus Traube. And, of course, I had a few tasks to take care of for my other business, Secli Weinwelt. In the afternoon, I had to answer a lot of e-mails. And then I mentally prepared for this interview (laughs).

Was there actually a particular moment – maybe as you were doing the washing up at the sink – where you looked into each other’s eyes and said: «Darling, let’s buy Gasthaus Traube!»?

Ivan: It was around four years ago that the barn next to the Traube was offered to us on its own. Kathrin and I quickly agreed that we didn’t want to take up this offer. It was clear to us that only both properties together would be of interest. However, that would have meant that we’d also need to take over the Traube, which was simply not an option at the time.

Kathrin: Maybe we can start even earlier. Our real estate company Katvan Immo AG has always been committed to only constructing buildings dedicated to the lives of people. So we are only interested in things that serve society. The main question we always ask ourselves is: What must the architecture achieve so that people can meet up, be happy and develop positively? When we were offered both properties a few months after the initial offer – so, the barn and Gasthaus Traube – the seed was planted.

«Are we actually normal?»

What happened next?

Kathrin: The topic of «encounters» runs through our lives like an overarching theme. Ivan and I feel a strong connection to people. In this context, I thought that the Traube could actually suit us quite well. I mean, after all, a restaurant is the original place to meet. One night I woke up and thought: we could turn the barn into a little town hotel!

And the next day you were doing the washing up at the sink and you said to Ivan: «Darling, let’s buy the Traube and build a town hotel!»

Kathrin: Almost! We were having lunch and I told him about my idea for the hotel ...

Ivan: … and I suddenly said: «Great idea!»

Today, on this mild, late-August evening, we are now sitting in one of three future wine cellars. Diligent construction work is happening all around us; it looks like there is still a lot of work to be done. Did you always imagine the renovation would be so extensive?

Kathrin: If we had known from the start that it would be what it is now, we might not have gone for it – but at the time we just didn’t know. We just thought we’d do a little renovation here and there, replace the kitchen and take a gentle approach to the rest …

Ivan: ... shortly after construction began, we were able to see from the cellar right up to the roof, because everything in between was hollowed out. Then the thought struck me for a moment: Are we actually normal? (laughs)

What turned the scales? I mean, what happened between the idea to replace the kitchen and this complete renovation that’s happening now?

Ivan: The key factor was structural reinforcement. In other words, we had to proceed in this manner for static improvements. Otherwise, it would eventually no longer have been possible to run a restaurant business here.

Kathrin: Everyone in any way involved in this construction was amazed at the poor condition of the building. So we had to decide: Are we doing this properly? Or should we just leave it be? We opted to go all in.

What have your learned or are you learning throughout this process?

Kathrin: When we started with the conversion, our aim was clear: we make it beautiful, we make it tasteful, and then we hand the restaurant over to someone who understands gastronomy. That was our plan. We already have experience with converting old buildings and there are a few questions to ask yourself, regardless of whether you are converting a house or a restaurant: «How do I picture the perfect bathroom? What features will my kitchen need? Where’s the office going to be?» But suddenly we were in the middle of a gastronomic concept and a lot of additional, new questions came up: «Who is the restaurant for? How many people do we want to host? How many people can we host? And what are the needs of these guests?»

Ivan: We also can’t simply implement our personal ideas. We are dependent on numerous experts – especially when it comes to monument protection.

«You have to be vulnerable to remain fully human.»

Was there a moment when you wanted to throw in the towel?

Ivan: No!

Kathrin: This concept embodies our whole life philosophy. Ivan and I expose a lot about ourselves, and anyone who exposes something about themselves becomes vulnerable. This feeling sometimes takes my breath away and makes my heart beat a little faster. However, one thing is always clear to me: you have to be vulnerable to remain fully human …

I understand how important people and encounters are to you. But what does this mean specifically for the Traube? Who do you want to experience encounters here?

Ivan: If we turn back the clock a few years, this house was always a place for every woman and every man. The local council used to come here after their meetings and the people were allowed to sit down and ask questions. We now want the Traube to continue being the place where the people of Werdenberg can meet. And we mean all of them.

It seems to me that our setting here with champagne and tonic on a construction pail fits quite well with this statement …

Kathrin: True! Would you like a glass of wine after a trip to the cinema? Or enjoy a cool beer or an elegant candlelit dinner after work? Anyone and everyone is welcome. We don’t want to be selective. We have plenty of rooms for a range of occasions and possibilities. And: the regulars’ table remains an important aspect of our approach. We are also deliberately open on Mondays because that’s when the town council meets. We would be delighted if the town councillors would join us after their meeting – almost like in the past.

Which of the numerous mentioned rooms are you particularly looking forward to and why?

Kathrin: I’m really looking forward to the garden room, but that won’t be available until 2023 in the new hotel. The garden room will be beautifully feminine, bright and light, with soft colours. You could enjoy coffee and cake there, read a good book. I’m really looking forward to that.

Ivan: I’m particularly looking forward to the ice cellar. When I think about it, I envision a vibrant group of people sitting at a long table, enjoying delicious appetisers and a great glass of wine. Of course, I’m also looking forward to the wine cellars, which, for organisational reasons, will only be accessible when accompanied. Wine is my passion. The wine at the Traube will naturally have a special significance. One of our aspirations is to create a wine list that stands out from the rest. But I don’t want to go into detail about that just yet (laughs).

«We want to create a place where people from all walks of life can come together and feel comfortable.»

Why should people come to the Traube, other than for the wine of course?

Kathrin: We are aware that, at first glance, our region doesn’t offer as much tourism as, for example, Lucerne with its Kapellbrücke or Zermatt with its Matterhorn. We therefore want the guests find their way to us primarily because of the Traube itself. We rely on three pillars. Architecturally, we want to create an oasis that a guest can step into, leaving everyday life at the door. We want to impress with our gastronomy concept and create a place where people from all walks of life can come together and feel comfortable. And the wine list should impress beyond the region. If people then also notice what our beautiful region has to offer for nature lovers, culture explorers and sports enthusiasts, then so much the better.

So we’ve put a lot of ourselves into the Traube. Could you tell me a little more about yourselves? Who are you? What has shaped you?

Ivan: My dad came to Switzerland from southern Italy in the early 1960s. My mum came from Spain at around the same time, first to Liechtenstein as a chambermaid and then to the cloth mill in Sennwald, where she met my father. Like all Italians and Spaniards, my dad also dreamed of going back to Italy with the whole family after retirement, where he could spend the rest of his life. That’s why my parents worked hard all their lives as unskilled labourers. When he retired, I was 34, had started my own family long ago and naturally had no desire to move to southern Italy with my parents. Even my mum used to say: «If I were to start again, it would of course be in Spain!» So they stayed in this region all their lives.

Kathrin: Both of us, Ivan and I, are not originally Swiss. We are the children of immigrants, and our parents experienced the Second World War. My parents were both from Vorarlberg. My father was a very successful patron with a lot of passion and my mum loved to write and weave. She was an artist at heart, suffered from severe depression and took her own life when I was 25. I probably got my great people skills from my dad, and my strong creative streak from my mum. I grew up between the poles of «we are a bog-standard family that likes to camp and hike» and the external image of an industrialist’s daughter, «a Schertler». I remember it well: At that time, there were exactly three people driving a Mercedes in Haag, and one of them was my father (laughs). We were notable! Everyone knew that VAT Vakuumventile AG was a company with global recognition. Despite this, our family home fully grounded me and my three older siblings. It was always made clear to us: Nothing is wasted or thrown away. Everything has its value!

When did you meet?

Ivan: That was in 1985. Kathrin was 16 and had just started her training as a kindergarten teacher; I was 18 and finishing an apprenticeship as a heating engineer. We moved to Buchs together in 1988 and our paths have been intertwined ever since. After various further training courses, I turned my hobby into a profession in 2003 and opened up my own business with naive enthusiasm. That’s how Secli Weinwelt was born. We also founded our real estate company together and Kathrin is heavily involved in the small Werdenberg theatre fabriggli, where she has been President since 2005. There’s a lot going on in the Secli-Schertler house (laughs).

Kathrin: With our philosophy, which we follow at the Traube, we remain true to ourselves as it’s based on our very personal stories and the things that have shaped us. Those who understand how we grew up understand that we could never turn the Traube into just another upscale venue. That just isn’t us.

It sounds like there’s plenty of harmony and togetherness between you. Hand on heart: Who makes the decisions? And do you ever clash?

Ivan: Kathrin is happy to let me take care of the technical things …

Kathrin: Ivan is glad that Ruth (Ruth Kramer, external creative eye and concept developer, note) and I take care of the aesthetics. The men will naturally sometimes roll their eyes when we come back with our aesthetic ambitions. But we’re fine with that.

Sounds like you’re both very busy. To finish, I would therefore like to ask you: How and where do you recharge your batteries?

Kathrin: I dare say that I am very efficient and organised. When I’m working on something, I’m 100% focused, but I’m not very good at switching off, that’s not my forte. However, I recover very quickly. A lovely hike on a free Sunday or a short bike ride after work is all I need. One thing that’s very important to me, however, is spending a day with my girlfriends from time to time. They are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me.

Ivan: A round of golf is enough for me to clear my head. And, of course, my kids give me plenty of energy. Our youngest plays football and I really enjoy coming along with him to the pitch. Football plays a pretty important role in my life.

Thank you Kathrin and Ivan for the wonderful conversation.

Interview: Doris Büchel
Photos: Roland Lichtensteiger

Tabula Rasa

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Kathrin: Morning bathroom routine./Ivan: Morning bathroom routine. What is the most important trait your employees must have? Kathrin: Social skills./Ivan: Loyalty. What is a management matter? Kathrin: Lead lovingly while making sure that employees are doing well./Ivan: Making decisions. Which gastronomic experience do you feel you simply must experience one day? Kathrin: Enjoy an authentic, honest meal in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by a beautiful environment. Ivan: Exploring the culinary offerings of San Sebastian.

What can always be found in your fridge? Kathrin: Natural yoghurt./Ivan: A good piece of meat. Who would you one day like to welcome into the Traube? Kathrin: Being able to welcome my late parents would have been a dream./Ivan: Everyone. What would you ask them? Kathrin: Was this what you wanted to pass on to me in life when it comes to values?/Ivan: Do you feel comfortable and happy here?