A day trip to Engelhorn in Mannheim leads to bounty of brand-name buys

I don’t know anyone who would fork over 1,300 euros for a designer ski jacket or 700 euros for a pair of Chanel sunglasses.

But apparently others do, as there’s enough demand for brand names and high-end fashion to keep Engelhorn, an upscale department store in Mannheim, Germany, in business for more than a century.

This pair of Chanel sunglasses can be yours at Engelhorn for about $700. The upscale fashion retailer in Mannheim, Germany, carries international luxury brands in clothing, shoes and accessories. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

For Americans who want the Saks Fifth Avenue experience in Germany, Engelhorn is the place to go, with the likes of Prada, Burberry, JOOP!, Hugo Boss, UGG and Marc O’Polo on its racks and shelves. Meanwhile, there are bargains to be found as well.

Apparel and accessories for the whole family are spread across more than 161,000 square feet on six floors.

Clothing at Engelhorn, an upscale department store in Mannheim, Germany, can cost a pretty penny -or, in this case, euro. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

On a recent dreary February day, an excursion to Engelhorn, about an hour’s drive from Kaiserslautern, was, well, something to do to chase the winter blues.

It was a refreshing change from the old tried-and-true K in Lautern in downtown Kaiserslautern and the Ramstein Air Base exchange, even if just to window-shop.

The ground floor alone has a lot to take in, including a delectable display of French pastries, a Swiss chocolate shop, an in-house florist, a collection of jewelry made in Copenhagen, Denmark and a huge array of sunglasses.

You won’t find moon boots like this at the base exchange. Quirky footwear and expensive name brands can be found at Engelhorn, an upscale fashion retailer in Mannheim, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Kids can ride a wooden slide or pretend to drive a wooden van set up in the children’s section while parents contemplate whether they can afford a pair of royal blue Burberry high tops.

Despite the plethora of sky-high price tags, there were sales to be found, some better than others. An assortment of Christmas-themed Happy Socks for kids were marked down 25% to 7 euros, while men’s Ralph Lauren polo shirts were discounted 33%. Using a VAT form would drop the price further.

Several restaurants with skyline views of Mannheim, Germany, can be found on the top floor at Engelhorn. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Worn out from browsing through the endless racks of clothes, I rode the escalator to the seventh floor, where several restaurants offer rooftop views over the city.

The Faces Lounge serves a reasonably priced breakfast and lunch, and the Roof Garden serves street food like burgers starting at 11:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday. 

For the fancier evening crowd, Coq au Vin features wines from the Pfalz and Alsace regions, along with French cuisine.

A cappuccino and streusel were enough to fuel a second round of shopping, this time across the street at Engelhorn’s sporting goods store. A Tripadvisor review called it heaven for athletic needs, and I’d have to agree.

A display of French pastries tempts customers as they walk through the front doors of Engelhorn, an upscale department store in the heart of Mannheim’s shopping district in Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Customers can stop for a coffee or pick up a loaf of bread while shopping in Engelhorn, an upscale department store in Mannheim, Germany, that’s been around since 1890. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

It was seven floors of gear and garb for just about any sporting endeavor under the sun, from cycling and camping to golf, tennis and weightlifting.

The best part was the bargains, such as an array of Nike and Adidas running shoes discounted 50% to 60% from the original price. I found a pair of Lebron Witness VII Nike basketball shoes for my son marked down from 114.99 euros to 74.99 euros.

Engelhorn also has a separate sporting goods store where, unlike its main department store, sells name brands at steep discounts. The fashion retailer has been in Mannheim, Germany, since 1890. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

One could spend the whole day between the two Engelhorn shops, but Mannheim, known as the City of Squares for its gridlike pattern, has lots of other retail offerings, from fashion boutiques, indoor plazas, smaller furniture stores and shoe outlets.

Most shops and department stores are along the “Planken” shopping street between O and P7, the parallel Q7, adjoining side streets and the Marktplatz near the end of the Planken. All locations are within walking distance.

The fashion retailer Engelhorn has a long history in Mannheim, Germany, first opening in 1890. It was rebuilt after it was destroyed during World War II. It’s known for its selection of international luxury brands, such as Chanel, Burberry and Prada. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Engelhorn Mode im Quadrat

Address: O5 1, Mannheim, Germany

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday closed

Information: Phone: +49 621 1670100, Online: engelhorn.de