Thaler Beautiful things

Back in the day, butchers would throw out whatever parts they

couldn't use or sell into courtyards - but as the adage goes, somebody's

trash is another's treasure, and so chandlers would gleefully

collect those valuable ingredients to make their candles and soaps.

It made sense then for Josef Anton Thaler to open a soap workshop

in 1763 in the very same place where Thaler's modern premises lie.

He was so successful he later went on to become a supplier of medical

goods to the court and a colonial warehouse and shop for the

local populations: local farmers would come into town to purchase

spices from the Middle East, among other items on display. In 1946,

the Schwienbacher family purchased the store. Hans Schwienbacher

was a far-sighted man who succeeded in creating a booming

business, set up a wholesale operation and then handed control

and oversight to his daughters Heidi and Veronika. The siblings are

still very much involved in running the company. At the turn of the

century, having a niche was seen as that extra special something -

in this case, exclusive perfumes, wellbeing and beauty routines, and

luxury design and furniture for the living areas. In 2012, the family

decided to expand their business and started dipping their toes in

the beverage and restaurant world.