Our History
From the “Kleine Backstube” to Europe's largest Christmas market café
Only Santa Claus himself has more Christmas experience than we do. For over 50 years, our business has been the lively center of the Essen Christmas market.
This is where people know each other. This is where people meet. But above all, for more than five decades, people have been enjoying all the small, homemade delicacies.
We can tell many stories and are essentially a story ourselves.
Our History
1972: The First Christmas Market in Essen
There from the beginning. From 1972 until today. Few entrepreneurs can claim that. We can! When the Essen Christmas market first took place over 50 years ago, we were already in the midst of it.
Alongside our father and grandfather Erich Knocke, who co-staged the first Essen Christmas markets. As an idea generator. As a trendsetter. As a driving force. As enthusiastic entrepreneurs of our city.
Late 1970s
The new sales wagon continued the tradition right in the middle of Essen’s Kennedy Square.
It always stood in front of the backdrop amidst the stalls. Here, our quark doughnuts were baked for the first time, and we also tried out our churros here in the early 90s. Even though churros are now more common, ours are and remain the tastiest.
By the way, you can still find this nostalgic sales wagon at Essen events and fairgrounds
The Founder and Father of Oliver MüLler
Claus-Dieter MüLler Knocke
Essentially, it had to happen this way!
Because for the Christmas season, there is hardly a more suitable craft than confectionery with all its temptations, pleasures, and aromas. And with all the professional know-how and finesse of the experienced master confectioner, Claus-Dieter and his then-wife Hildegard founded our family tradition in 1972. We participated in the first International Essen Christmas Market with our first stand.
Freshly born, Oliver was already there in 1972 and laid the foundation for the future continuation of the business by passing the journeyman’s examination as a confectioner in 1991.
Here is Oliver’s father once during the first setup of the “Kleine Backstube” in 1993 and on the right during the first setup of the X-Mas Lounge in 2022 at the age of 70.
1993: The construction of the “Kleine Backstube”
How deceptive names can be! The construction of the “Kleine Backstube” was ultimately nothing less than the construction of what was for a long time the largest single stand at the Essen Christmas market.
With eight by eight meters, our stand gave us unique opportunities from the beginning for oven-fresh culinary culture, such as our tree cake, which is known far beyond the city limits of Essen and which we still produce on-site on the 1-meter roll.
Generations of Christmas market visitors have shown their gratitude with their loyalty to this day.
2nd from right is Oliver Müller, 1995, during setup
Unfortunately, the other three employees have already passed away. R.I.P.
1994: Fresh Churros for the First Time at a Christmas Market.
To this day, our formidable churros are not only eye-catchers but above all taste sensations.
In 1994, we were finally ready, introduced them in the “Little Bakery” and scored a real hit. Following the original Mallorcan recipe and exclusively available nationwide at the Essen Christmas market.
For many visitors, these specialties are now more than just a small, fine delicacy. They have become a true ritual.
For the 50th anniversary in 2022:
The big expansion to the X-Mas Lounge
Steffi Oliver Müller take over the family business and with the opening of the spectacular X-Mas Lounge, they elevate the family tradition at the Essen Christmas market to a new level.
The café combines tradition with innovation in the best way. The “Kleine Backstube” still forms the heart of the stand, harmoniously expanded to include a restaurant/café, event location, and the roof terrace.
