The Freitag flagship store in Zurich is an iconic tower almost leaning over the train line as you pass Zurich Hardbrücke.
A short stroll from the train station leads you right up to this tower of shipping containers. Right from the outset, you know this is a unique and stylish brand. It screams “look at me” from all around the area!
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History Of Freitag
Freitag was started out of an apartment overlooking Hardbrücke bridge by the Freitag brothers, Daniel and Markus, back in 1993. They were inspired by the numerous passing trucks and the wasted tarpaulin covers over their loads. So, they used recycled truck tarpaulins, seatbelts and old bicycle inner tubes to make their first bags.
They still make their bags this way today. They are rugged and stylish and for some strange reason have become really trendy over the years. Any Zurich resident worth their salt has one. Mine still looks like it could last at least a few more decades!
The Freitag Flagship Store & Tower
The Freitag flagship store has to be right near their first apartment! In fact, this store and tower have been right next to Hardbrücke bridge since 2006. The brand is all about recycling. So, the tower is also made from 19 reused and somewhat rusty shipping containers.
These containers are stacked to form a shop on the first few floors, then a tower with a staircase leading right up to a stunning observation platform.
From here, you get a stunning view of the industrial part of the city. This includes the shiny new Prime Tower next to the bridge, but in the other direction, the sprawling city of Zurich and the lake and mountains beyond.
And, they have provided free-standing observation binoculars so you can look all around the city in detail.
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Freitag Store Location & Opening Times
If you want to check out the Freitag store yourself, just head to Zurich Hardbrücke train station and then walk about the main exit and turn right onto the first street. It is just a few meters down the road. It’s next door to Frau Gerolds Garten. You can find it here on Google Maps.
The Freitag Flagship Store is open:
- Monday – Friday: 11.00 am – 7.00 pm
- Saturday: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Inside The Freitag Flagship Store
The Freitag team has integrated the recycled and industrial look and feel throughout the store. There are open metal stairs taking you to the various floors. with exposed metal walls and big glass windows throughout. There are also information points where you can listen on old phones to various aspects of the bag production and history.
The display cases are often made of cardboard, sometimes containing hundreds of variations of the unique Freitag bags.
Of course, it is not just bags, there are phone cases, wallets, handbags and all manner of backpacks and bags too. You will definitely not leave this Freitag shop empty-handed if you have enough money.
