Berliner Kindl in Black Mountain has new owners: What to know

One of the oldest restaurants in Black Mountain now has a new owner.

Berliner Kindl, Black Mountain’s German restaurant, was established in 1987 by Maria Reid. Reid owned the restaurant for 10 years until she sold it to Sharon Trube and Freddie Trube in 1997.

Now, the Trubes have sold the restaurant to Roger Schultz, who has taken over the business.

Sharon Trube told Black Mountain News that she and her husband sold the business because they are moving into the retirement stage of their lives. Still, she said she and her husband will continue working with Schultz at Berliner Kindl.

“We definitely want people to know that,” Sharon Trube said. “So they don’t think we just left town.”

Schultz said he and his family decided to purchase the restaurant because they visited the area from Florida “quite frequently” and fell in love with Berliner Kindl. He said they found out it was for sale, and “everything just kind of fell into place for us.”

Schultz said his grandparents were German and he spent time in Germany when he was in the military and loved the atmosphere of the country.

He said part of the reason his family decided to purchase the restaurant was to have something to do in retirement that includes his son with Down syndrome. Schultz said his son likes to cook and is in the culinary program at his high school. He said the restaurant seemed like the “perfect” fit for the family.

Schultz is currently living in Black Mountain while his family is preparing for the move from Florida.

With the new ownership of Berliner Kindl, Schultz said diners can expect much of the same experience as with the previous owners.

“Right now, honestly, we’re not changing much of anything,” Schultz said. “It runs so well the way it is that everybody loves it. I might do some updating to the technology of the business, but pretty much that’s it.”

Sharon Trube said one of his favorite parts of owning the restaurant was the people, whether it be the customers who come in to enjoy a meal or the staff of Berliner Kindl. She said many of the staff, including the manager, have been with the restaurant “for a long time,” some up to 20 years. Sharon Trube described the staff as “a big part" of her and her husband's lives.

“Just all the relationships that we developed with customers and with folks who live here,” Sharon Trube said. “It’s been great. So many customers have now turned into lifelong friends, so it’s been really nice.”

Berliner Kindl is located at 121 Broadway Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is closed Sunday and Monday.

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