Meiningen Aims to Raise €500,000 for Village Pub

Why this is here: Residents can purchase up to 20 shares in the cooperative, each costing 500 euros, to help fund the project.

Residents of Meiningen, Austria are collecting 500,000 euros to rebuild their village pub. The town has lacked a central meeting place since the Tannenhof closed.

A cooperative model will fund the renovation of the historic Frenerhaus. The Frenerhaus, located next to the church, is seen as an ideal location.

Planners intend to preserve the building’s character while adding modern features like a beer garden and flexible event space. Thomas Muther, Ulrich Feistenauer, and Florian Wilhelm developed the cooperative to involve citizens, businesses, and clubs.

Each cooperative share costs 500 euros, with a maximum of 20 shares per person. The group has secured pledges for over half of the needed funds.

They aim to establish the cooperative by late 2026, but still need to address financing and permits. Work continues to make the Frenerhaus a long-term community hub.