Toom's new Halle store opens with modern design and expanded space
From Empty Shell to DIY Paradise: Toom's Next-Gen Hardware Store Opens in Halle
Where home improvement supplies were sold under a different banner just a year ago, a hive of activity in sleek anthracite now dominates the scene. Next Monday, the new Toom home improvement store on Merseburger Straße will officially open its doors, replacing the former location on Alte Heerstraße (Silberhöhe) and promising a next-generation shopping experience.
The company has invested around €3.5 million in the new site, with its striking modern design immediately catching the eye. Gone is the brand's familiar color scheme—replaced by a bold anthracite façade. "This is only the second store nationwide to feature this new design concept," explains Toom CEO Jan Karrasch. The Halle location will serve as a real-world lab for the company, testing innovative retail concepts and customer service approaches.
From 'Empty Space' to DIY Heaven
The team behind the project has endured months of grueling work. "An incredible amount has happened here in the last eight weeks," says store manager Franzi Benesch. Just two months ago, she stood in a completely empty hall; today, shelves stretch across 9,370 square meters—nearly 2,000 square meters larger than the old location.
Benesch credits the team's relentless effort for the transformation: "We've created an absolutely fantastic hardware store. I want to thank every employee for shouldering the immense double workload during the transition."
The move has also expanded the workforce: 31 permanent staff and up to 15 part-time employees will now advise customers.
Breaking the Mold: Women Leading in a Male-Dominated Field
A woman at the helm of such a large home improvement store is still far from the norm in the industry. Yet for sales manager Uwe Prause, Benesch is the perfect fit: "Women often bring a different, valuable perspective to leadership."
Benesch herself takes a pragmatic view of her role. "I was practically born at Toom," she jokes, reflecting on her career. Starting as a part-time employee, she later earned a business degree while staying with the company. Over the years, she says she's never faced discrimination based on gender—competence matters more than stereotypes.
A Winning Mentality for Success
Sales manager Uwe Prause draws a parallel from his own past to mark the opening. Thirty-five years ago, he refereed a match for Halle's champion women's handball team. The connection to today's store team is clear: "They fight just as hard as those women did on the court back then."
With the new opening, the Silberhöhe location—just a kilometer away—closes its doors. For Halle's customers, the move means more selection, modern displays, and convenient access on Merseburger Straße.
