The scent of cleaning fluid, roller cleaner, and oil hangs heavy in the air, a familiar aroma that has defined Josef Bajfus’s workshop for nearly three decades. At 69, with hands scarred by years of meticulous work, Josef, alongside his 81-year-old colleague Karl-Heinz Schulze, represents a vanishing breed: the last typewriter mechanics in Munich. Their quirky shop in Milbertshofen, a treasure trove of vintage machines and spare parts, is about to close its doors forever, marking the end of an era for a city that once valued the satisfying clack of keys over the silent hum of a screen.
A Retro Paradise in Milbertshofen
For 28 years, their workshop at Lüneburger Straße 2 has been a sanctuary for typewriters – from the humble ‘Monika’ and ‘Gabriele’ to the more exotic ‘Carrera de Luxe.’ Brands like ‘Triumph,’ ‘Olympia,’ ‘Olivetti,’ and ‘Torpedo’ found a second life under their skilled hands. Every Wednesday, the shop would open its doors for ‘typewriter consultation hours,’ drawing eight to ten customers into a cluttered, charming space where shelves bowed under the weight of history.
‘People often came in a state of alarm,’ Josef recalls, ‘because their typewriter, a personal writing aid and beloved object, urgently needed a skilled repairman.’ The demand, though niche, was steady, proving that even in an increasingly digital world, the tactile experience of a mechanical typewriter held a special place in many hearts.
Celebrity Clientele and a Shared Passion
Their clientele was as diverse as their collection of machines. Among the 5,000 addresses in their customer file were several Munich celebrities, including cabaret artist Luise Kinseher, the late Dieter Hildebrandt, Loriot, and former BR presenter Caroline Reiber. Josef fondly remembers Hildebrandt: ‘He had several typewriters at home, at least four or five, certainly five. We got them all working again.’
Josef and Karl-Heinz, both with glasses perched on their noses, shared not only a passion for their craft but also a remarkable working relationship. For 18 years, they never had a single argument. Both learned their trade as young men in the same Munich company, a serendipitous start to a lifelong dedication. Karl-Heinz’s grandfather was also a typewriter repairman, perhaps instilling in him an innate understanding of these intricate machines.
‘We make our hands dirty,’ Karl-Heinz says with a laugh, scraping old grease from the inside of a typewriter. ‘It really sticks. It’s disgusting, but we still get our hands dirty.’ This hands-on approach, a stark contrast to the clean, digital world, is what endeared them to their customers.
The Unavoidable End
The decision to close was not their own. The building in Milbertshofen is undergoing extensive renovation, and the shop’s lease was terminated. ‘It’s going downhill with the world-famous company,’ Josef says sadly, referring to the end of their business. ‘I heard the shop will become an apartment.’ The news has been difficult for both men, who have poured their lives into their work.
A clearance sale is underway until March 16. Mechanical typewriters in cases are selling for as little as 70 Euros, while those with displays and memory go for around 200 Euros. About 30 machines remain on the shelves, waiting for new homes. Soon, the charming chaos of the shop, with its old-fashioned wooden cabinets and tiny drawers filled with spare parts, will be no more.
Josef reflects on the joy they brought to their customers: ‘A personal typewriter grows on you. We made our customers quite happy when they got a cleaned, smooth-running machine with a fresh ribbon back.’ He recalls a recent incident where he repaired a typewriter for a 90-year-old man in a senior home. ‘He was so happy. He needs his machine. There are older Munich residents who can type better than write by hand,’ Josef explains.
A Legacy of Service and a Hope for the Future
Josef Bajfus has been a fixture in the shop from Monday to Saturday for the past 25 years, rarely taking a vacation. ‘I didn’t want to let my customers down. That’s just how it was,’ he says. Once the shop is cleared out, and the last load taken to the bulky waste, Josef plans to travel. He recently visited the Cape Verdean island of Sal and will soon head to the North Sea, a place he’s never seen.
Despite the sadness, Josef holds onto a hope for the future of customer service in Munich. ‘The city needs more friendliness,’ he asserts. ‘Customer service is far too neglected today. On the phone, I only hear, ‘Hello, press 1.’ I find that nonsense terrible.’ His own work ethic was simple: ‘We always answered the phone. We always called back immediately and usually said: ‘Come right over to us in Milbertshofen!”
As the last days tick by, the clatter of typewriters, the sound of the last century, will fade from Lüneburger Straße. But the memories of Josef and Karl-Heinz, their dedication, and the unique haven they created, will remain. They were more than just mechanics; they were custodians of a bygone era, bringing joy and functionality to machines that held sentimental value for so many.
The closure of this beloved shop is not just the end of a business; it’s the end of a chapter in Munich’s cultural history. While the physical space will transform, the spirit of craftsmanship, dedication, and genuine customer service that defined Josef and Karl-Heinz will hopefully inspire a new generation.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/schreibmaschinen-paradies-kult-laden-in-muenchen-schliesst-art-1117813
