Piecraft is dead.

After 2 years of hard work, we’re shutting down. Our small but brave cafe/bakery startup is officially closed.

“Hard work? What are you talking about, Max?” you may ask. “You haven’t even opened — and haven’t served a single customer.”

You are right, we haven’t. But…

Incorporation. Funding. Business model. Branding. Menu development. Hundreds of locations reviewed. Dozens of locations investigated. A few contracts negotiated. One lease signed.

When we got the keys in April 2025, it looked like it was finally happening. We even drew up a floor plan and started talking construction. But then we were forced by the city to cancel the contract. The place apparently wasn’t suitable for foodservice.

It was tough.

At first, we soldiered on, and I kept pushing for another six months, looking for a new spot.

But while all this was happening, our personal circumstances changed. Drastically. Health-wise, family-wise…

We realized we couldn’t commit to this business 24/7 anymore. And without such a commitment, we wouldn’t succeed.

You cannot launch a foodservice company without being ‘all-in.’ In this business, margins are thin. Most operators barely maintain it as self-employment. Turning a food concept into a real, profitable business in Europe, and especially in Germany, requires a massive effort — and a lot of luck. You have to be on top of your game.

We had to accept the reality of our age, of our health, of our new family situation. And we had to shut the whole thing down.

My wife (and my partner in crime) is devastated. She sees it as her failure most of all — and takes it rather personally.

I think failures are part of the game.

Behind every entrepreneur I know — even the most successful ones — is a graveyard of failed projects.

Just like behind every writer is a pile of unfinished drafts and failed novels. It’s part of life. Part of trying and aspiring. Only a fraction of your effort will pay off.

These realizations helped. But not much, to be honest.

It’s still hard to let go of a dream. Of having your own place in Berlin. Of making your vision a reality… Especially when your vision feels so powerful. So empowering.

But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Leaving a few photos here, just for the record.

Many thanks to everyone who supported us.

What’s next?

Well… You don’t think I’ve given up on making something cool, do you?