Bookstore Kottmann at HKP | Photos & Reviews

Kottmann at HKP – The Literatourcafé is located at Neumarkt 1 in Gelsenkirchen and combines independent book retail with a café, culture, and a clear city center mission. Since early 2025, the location has been run by Christina Njehu as a new Literatourcafé; the renaming represents a significantly expanded concept with readings, discussion formats, and a small café. Therefore, those looking for photos, reviews, or opening hours will not find a classic bookstore alone, but a place that is intentionally designed as a meeting point. The Heinrich-König-Platz outside has been redeveloped in recent years as an open, barrier-free center of the city, with seating, a water feature, and an environment that offers more space for markets, festivals, and encounters. This urban space makes the location so interesting for visitors: here you can buy books, have a coffee, attend events, and experience the center of Gelsenkirchen. ([gelsenkirchen-city.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen-city.de/orte/shopping/bucher-und-presse/kottmann-am-hkp-das-literatourcafe))

Opening Hours, Address, and Contact Overview

The official location page lists Neumarkt 1, 45879 Gelsenkirchen, as the address of Kottmann at HKP – The Literatourcafé. The regular opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For quick contact, the phone number 0209 15551321 and the email hallo@literatourcafe.de are provided. This is important for inquiries about opening hours because the bookstore is not just any store in the middle of nowhere, but is located right in the city center and is often combined with a city stroll, a café visit, or an appointment in the city. The City Initiative also lists Kottmann under the category Books & Press, which is exactly the environment where independent bookstores have their strongest impact. So, those who keep an eye on opening hours, contact, and location can plan their visit well while also considering the central Heinrich-König-Platz as a meeting point. The location is practical because the square has been designed as a modern, barrier-free center and does not just function as a passageway. Seating options, new urban furniture, and proximity to other city offerings make the location suitable for both quick errands and longer stays. The official city page also describes the new Heinrich-König-Platz as a place where markets, music events, and the weekly evening market have their place again. This makes the bookstore not only easy to find but also embedded in a vibrant city center that consciously strengthens its character as a place to visit. ([gelsenkirchen-city.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen-city.de/orte/shopping/bucher-und-presse/kottmann-am-hkp-das-literatourcafe))

For people who like to plan their time clearly, the reliable opening hours are a real advantage. You immediately know when a spontaneous visit is best, when you can come by for advice, and when a detour in the afternoon or on a Saturday is worthwhile. Because the location is directly in the urban structure, a visit can also be easily combined with other errands, such as shopping in the city, having a coffee nearby, or taking a short walk through the newly designed square. The location at Neumarkt and in close proximity to Heinrich-König-Platz is ideal for this because it allows for a quick transition between quiet browsing in the store and the open city life outside. This connection of a personal bookstore and urban environment makes the location so attractive for local users who want to inform themselves in advance about the address, contact options, and atmosphere. Therefore, those who visit the Literatourcafé will find not just a store, but a reliable city center point where information, orientation, and quality of stay come together. ([gelsenkirchen-city.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen-city.de/orte/shopping/bucher-und-presse/kottmann-am-hkp-das-literatourcafe))

From Bookstore to Literatourcafé: The New Idea Behind Kottmann at HKP

The transition to the Literatourcafé is not just a rebranding but the result of a clear change in concept. According to Börsenblatt, Christina Njehu had already been the branch manager of the Kottmann bookstore in Gelsenkirchen since 2018 before taking over the location herself at the beginning of 2025. The transition was accompanied by the NRW funding program for future-proof city centers and town centers, which is why the project received the new name Kottmann at HKP – The Literatourcafé. The city described the new concept as a place for those interested in literature and culture, as a platform for entertainment and exchange, and as a new point of contact for customers in the city. This is important for seekers because the bookstore today is much more than a sales area. It is part of an urban development strategy aimed at revitalizing Heinrich-König-Platz. Njehu connects this idea with a very personal approach: books, culture, and a touch of Ruhrpott charm are meant to interact so that visitors not only orient themselves but also linger, return, and engage in conversation. This is precisely the difference from a classic branch. The Literatourcafé aims not only to sell but to create relationships, provide occasions, and make the city center an experiential space. ([boersenblatt.net](https://www.boersenblatt.net/news/buchhandel-news/ich-musste-das-konzept-deutlich-aendern-356791))

A central part of the concept is the three pillars reinGElesen, reinGEschaut, and reinGEhört. ReinGElesen stands for readings by regional and national authors as well as quarterly presentations of favorite books; reinGEschaut brings together people who want to discuss urban development, municipal issues, or social questions; reinGEhört opens the stage for musicians from the region, including small club or Tiny Desk-style formats. Additionally, a small café has been integrated, where, according to Börsenblatt, even own products such as beer and mulled wine are offered; for the summer, outdoor service is even planned. This makes the Literatourcafé a hybrid place of bookstore, café, meeting space, and event venue. Therefore, those who visit the location do not experience a rigid store concept but a place that grows with the neighborhood and its history. This also explains why the demand for photos and reviews is so high: people want to understand in advance whether they can make a quick purchase here or plan a longer stay. The answer is both, and this flexibility makes the location special. The new concept also fits well with a city center that wants to regain its historical core, with Heinrich-König-Platz emerging as a central anchor point. ([boersenblatt.net](https://www.boersenblatt.net/news/buchhandel-news/ich-musste-das-konzept-deutlich-aendern-356791))

Photos, Atmosphere, and First Impressions

Those looking for photos of Kottmann at HKP are usually looking for more than just a window display. What is meant is the first impression: How does the address at Neumarkt appear, how does Heinrich-König-Platz feel, and is the location more quickly accessible or more of a place to linger? The urban description of the square provides a clear answer. Heinrich-König-Platz has been newly designed as a spacious, barrier-free area, where the two churches in the city center are again more strongly related to each other. New seating, a quiet square center, climate-resistant trees, a water feature, and light columns give the environment an open and well-maintained effect. For Kottmann at HKP, this is a strong environment because the bookstore does not stand isolated but is located in a place that has been intentionally rethought for encounters, culture, and city life. This is why the location also works visually so well: it does not appear as a mere shopping address but as a small urban experience. The official city list and event pages repeatedly show the place together with images, event announcements, and changing cultural motifs. This strengthens the impression of a lively bookstore that does not hide behind the shelf but is visibly located in the city center. For visitors, this means: Those looking for a calm yet urban place with a café character will find an address here that can be well photographed, easily remembered, and nicely combined with a city visit. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/infrastruktur/stadtplanung/stadterneuerung_gelsenkirchen/city/heinrich-koenig-platz.aspx))

The demand for reviews is also closely related to this first impression. People want to know whether they end up in a classic bookstore, in a café with book tables, or in a real cultural venue. The existing official information makes it clear that it is a mix of everything: bookstore, café, meeting space, and event venue. This also fits with the location at Neumarkt, which has long been considered a central square with market function and an important point of orientation in old Gelsenkirchen. The combination of historical center and new urban image ensures that the location does not feel interchangeable but has a clear identity. So, those who want to see the bookstore in photos are often actually thinking about atmosphere: quiet or lively, modern or traditional, quickly accessible or suitable for staying. At Kottmann at HKP, the answer to these questions in many respects is: central, open, cultural, and consciously oriented towards encounters. This mixture makes the location interesting for search engines and real visitors alike. The place is part of an urban space that understands itself again as a center, and this is also felt in the character of the Literatourcafé. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/stadtprofil/stadtgeschichten/erinnerungsorte/neumarkt_und_commerzbank.aspx?utm_source=openai))

Events, Readings, and Cultural Formats at the Literatourcafé

The actual heart of the Literatourcafé approach is the events. In the book industry, the new concept has been explicitly described with the three series reinGElesen, reinGEschaut, and reinGEhört, and the archive of the event page shows how broadly this idea is already being implemented. There are readings with authors, discussion evenings on feminist and socio-political topics, writing workshops, as well as live music formats and DJ sets. Examples include a writing workshop with Linda Schipp, a Femtalk evening on more equitable coexistence, a reading with Rainer Wüst from a regional crime novel, the discussion evening ReinGEschaut with Kirsten Lipka, as well as musical evenings with The Blues Brawler, Relate & Gap The Mind, or a DJ set by Symphy. This mixture is particularly important for the search intention behind words like events, program, readings, or today, because it shows: The Literatourcafé does not only work with individual highlights but with a recurring program. The bookstore is thus part of a local cultural structure that connects literature with discussion, music, and urban topics. It is also noticeable that many events are offered at a low threshold: some are free, some operate on a donation basis, and others have moderate advance ticket and box office prices. Reservations can be made by phone at 0209 15551321 or by email at hallo@literatourcafe.de. This makes the location interesting not only for regular guests but also for people who spontaneously encounter a cultural offering in the city center and want to get information quickly. ([boersenblatt.net](https://www.boersenblatt.net/news/buchhandel-news/ich-musste-das-konzept-deutlich-aendern-356791))

The archive page also shows that the formats are deliberately staged differently. There are entry times, clear start times, and sometimes even content frameworks with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, which further enhances the character of the place between bookstore and small event space. For people looking for a Literatourcafé, this is crucial: It is not just about buying books but about hearing stories, discussing topics, and experiencing music in an approachable environment. The connection of literary and cultural evenings with the café idea makes the location a meeting point that stands out from typical bookstores. At the same time, the offering remains locally anchored, as many formats are directly conceived from the Ruhr area and the approach is very consciously aimed at the city and its audience. So, those looking for a place where program, events, and a personal atmosphere come together will find a very distinctive mix at Kottmann at HKP. The breadth of content is also remarkable: from regional crime novels to discussion formats on social issues to music evenings, the spectrum goes far beyond a classic reading program. This diversity makes the location a place that can continually reinvent itself without losing its bookstore identity. ([genialokal.de](https://www.genialokal.de/buchhandlung/gelsenkirchen/literatourcafe/Veranstaltungen/Archiv/))

Ordering Books, genialokal, and Click & Collect

Kottmann at HKP is not only intended for spontaneous visits but also for people who want to conveniently search for their books in advance. The bookstore page at genialokal describes a large selection of books for young and old, from novels to practical guides. If a title is not in stock, it is ordered quickly and easily; shipping within Germany is free according to the page, and often the desired title can be picked up at the Literatourcafé the next working day, provided there is no Sunday or holiday in between. The online part of the offering is particularly strong: more than six million book titles, as well as e-books and audiobooks, are available through the shop, which can be directly loaded onto tablets, smartphones, or Tolino devices. This is central for searches related to bookstore, ordering, pickup, or Click & Collect, as it breaks down the barrier between stationary retail and digital search. Readers can browse online, get inspired, and still work further on-site with personal advice. This connection is valuable for independent bookstores today because it does not replace personal conversation but complements it. The page also emphasizes that orders through genialokal directly support the independent bookstore. This is an additional incentive for many customers because the purchase does not end in an anonymous checkout but in a regional relationship. Kottmann at HKP demonstrates very well how modern book retail can work: digitally visible, locally accessible, and flexible in processing. ([genialokal.de](https://www.genialokal.de/buchhandlung/gelsenkirchen/literatourcafe/))

In addition, there is practical utility for everyone who is out and about in Gelsenkirchen city center. Those who do not want to carry everything immediately can order books and pick them up later; those who want advice can go directly to the store; and those who want to combine both can first use the online search and then visit on-site. According to genialokal, the books are delivered in reusable boxes, which saves packaging waste and makes the process more sustainable. Especially in a Literatourcafé that understands itself as a meeting point and not just a sales place, this idea fits very well. It combines comfort, sustainability, and local identity. For the keywords around Gelsenkirchen, Neumarkt, and bookstore, this is important because it shows a clear added value compared to pure e-commerce: advice, pickup, and a real place remain, while digital reach grows. So, those looking for a title and wanting to know how quickly and flexibly the bookstore works will find a solid, service-oriented offering at Kottmann at HKP. Additionally, the combination of store and café makes the stay more pleasant than a purely functional pickup. Thus, an order quickly becomes a small city visit with added value, making the brand attractive for seekers and regular customers alike. ([genialokal.de](https://www.genialokal.de/buchhandlung/gelsenkirchen/literatourcafe/))

Access by Public Transport and Parking Around Heinrich-König-Platz

Access is one of the most important points for any city center location, and at Kottmann at HKP, it is easily manageable. The City Initiative mentions tram lines 107, 301, and 302 for Heinrich-König-Platz; additionally, the entire city center is very well connected via Gelsenkirchen main train station. The official city page describes the main train station as a central hub from which many parts of the city can be conveniently reached by bus and train. For visitors, this means: If you are not coming directly from the city center, you can reach the location very well by public transport and do not necessarily have to arrive by car. This also fits the character of the square, which has been newly designed as a pivot, meeting point, and center. Especially for cultural events, this location is an advantage because guests can easily return home after a reading or music evening. The good public transport connection is also helpful for those who just want to stop by briefly, for example, to pick up a book, have a coffee, or get information about a program. Because the location is in the middle of the center, it is also pleasantly accessible for walking within the city. The combination of tram, main train station, and central square makes the journey there manageable and practical. ([gelsenkirchen-city.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen-city.de/besucher/oepnv?utm_source=openai))

If you still come by car, you benefit from the parking guidance system in the center of Gelsenkirchen. According to the city portal, 18 private and municipal parking garages and lots are connected to the system; yellow and glowing numbers in the dark indicate available parking spaces. Nearby options in the city area include Robert-Koch-Straße with 140 spaces, open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM and Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The transport company describes this underground garage as within walking distance to Hans-Sachs-Haus and Heinrich-König-Platz, making it particularly practical for a visit to Neumarkt. Also in the vicinity of the city center are parking options such as Husemannstraße, Ahstraße, or Bahnhofcenter, allowing for flexible adjustments depending on the time of day and route. For visitors, this is the practical core: those who come by briefly can directly target the square via the parking guidance system; those who want to stay longer also have several city parking options. This makes the bookstore well-suited for all inquiries related to access and parking without having to search long through side streets. The close proximity between parking area, square, and bookstore significantly facilitates a visit because the path from the car or train remains short and understandable. Therefore, those approaching the location for the first time benefit from a very urban yet uncomplicated accessibility. ([gelsenkirchen-city.de](https://gelsenkirchen-city.de/besucher/parkmoeglichkeiten))

Sources:

• Kottmann at HKP – The Literatourcafé - Official City List
• Kottmann at HKP – The Literatourcafé - City News on the New Concept
• Börsenblatt - I Had to Change the Concept Significantly
• Kottmann at HKP - The Literatourcafé - Bookstore at genialokal
• Kottmann at HKP - The Literatourcafé - Event Archive
• Gelsenkirchen City - Parking Options
• Gelsenkirchen City - Public Transport
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Heinrich-König-Platz