ARO Heimtextilien GmbH

Curiosity tugged at shoppers as they passed the unassuming storefront at Borsigallee 18 in Frankfurt. ARO Heimtextilien GmbH. The name whispered promises of comfort and style. Little did they know, this branch of ARO held a mere fragment of a larger, more complex story. ARO Heimtextilien, once a titan in the German home textile industry, had its roots far from the bustling city of Frankfurt. The story began in 1956, in the modest town of Demantsfürth. A young Michael A. Roth, the namesake of the company, embarked on a humble venture. He began selling floor coverings, personally delivering them from his own vehicle. His dedication and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for what would become a vast network of over 100 stores. ARO Heimtextilien expanded from its initial base in Northern Bavaria, reaching into Baden-Württemberg, Southern Bavaria, Hessen, and even touching parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. The company wasn’t just a retailer. It boasted its own production facility, NEODON-Werke-Bodenbeläge GmbH, located in Krumbach. This allowed ARO to offer a diverse range of products, from carpets and floor coverings to wallpapers and curtains, all while maintaining a degree of control over quality and production. The company’s success continued for decades, with sales exceeding €100 million. Michael A. Roth, still at the helm in his 70s, was even awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 2002 for his lifetime achievements in business. However, the economic downturn of 2008 marked a turning point for ARO Heimtextilien. The company implemented cost-saving measures, reducing the number of stores and employees. Despite a brief respite after successfully completing a protective shield procedure in 2014, the company filed for insolvency again in 2015. The remaining stores, including this one in Frankfurt, were shuttered. The story of ARO Heimtextilien is a reminder of the cyclical nature of business. It’s a testament to the ambition and dedication of its founder, Michael A. Roth, and a reflection of the ever-changing economic landscape. While the shelves at Borsigallee 18 may now be empty, the story of ARO Heimtextilien continues to resonate.