First grant from the Test Space Fund for fashion designer Tanja Ronaghi

She was the first temporary tenant of the Testraum, now she is the first recipient of funding from the Testraum Fund: Tanja Ronaghi has successfully applied for start-up funding from the City of Offenbach and is opening a permanent store at Frankfurter Straße 13 in Offenbach on Hugenottenplatz. She is taking over the long-established boutique Ninone, which is currently run by her mother. The City of Offenbach is supporting the fashion designer in the initial phase of the new opening with the Test Space Fund. In addition to start-up funding, she will receive professional support from experts who will help her develop her business in the beginning.

"The Test Space Fund is a component of the Test Space Avenue, with which we want to establish new store concepts in Offenbach's city center," explains Offenbach's Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. "I am delighted that we are able to support a young, highly motivated entrepreneur with this funding and I am pleased that her business will enrich the city center. Tanja Ronaghi has already successfully tried out the test room. The fact that she has now settled permanently in the city center after this temporary phase is fully in line with the basic idea of the Testraum-Allee and what we expect from her. It is a prime example of how our approach to city center revitalization can work as one of many building blocks." The opening of the Ninone by Tanja Ronaghi store is planned for February 2026.

Ronaghi's mother Susan Ghods has been running the women's boutique Ninone on Hugenottenplatz for 33 years. "I decided to take over the boutique and continue what I have known since I was a child," explains Tanja Ronaghi. "I grew up in the store, so to speak, and it has become very dear to my heart. By taking over, I can continue our family tradition." The 35-year-old is delighted: "The support and commitment of the city are incredible. Even the offer of the test space was something special; I experienced there that a stationary store with my fashion label works. I've had the idea for my own store for a long time and I'm very grateful to the city that I can now make it a reality thanks to the Testraum fund." In order to be awarded the grant, Ronaghi applied to the city, presented her concept to a jury and impressed them with her business plan.

At Ninone by Tanja Ronaghi, she will primarily offer her own collection as well as high-quality pieces from local brands. She will also take on selected brands from her mother's range. Her aim is to attract a cross-generational clientele. Events of all kinds are also planned. By the end of this year, she and her mother will be selling a large part of Ninone's stock at a 10 to 50 percent discount, with the special sale starting on November 1. The store will close for refurbishment in mid-December and reopen in February.

The landlord of the store space, Rudolf Walter from Grundstücksgemeinschaft Walter-Passage GbR, is also delighted. "I am very pleased that Ms. Ronaghi is taking over from her mother and that I can continue the lease with the second generation. Continuity is very important to me as a landlord and I am delighted that this continuity is assured thanks to the daughter's commitment and the start-up funding from the city." He himself is also giving the new tenant a helping hand: "A modern environment is also part of a new start. I am therefore having the space completely modernized so that something new can visibly grow here." The creative office Design in Architektur from Darmstadt, which already designed the modular interior of the test room, is responsible for the new store design. "In order to put the focus on Ms. Ronaghi's designs, we opted for a clear interior design that is complemented by playful details. The designer's signature is not only reflected in her garments, but also in the look and feel of the store. Soft colors and textile surfaces create a warm atmosphere, while fine stainless steel elements provide an elegant contrast," explains Marco Volkmann, project manager at Design in Architecture.

Store operators supported by the Test Space Fund receive a rental cost subsidy of 500 euros per month, up to a maximum of 6,000 euros in total for a maximum term of 12 months. In addition, there is a one-off grant of a maximum of 5,000 euros, which can be used for equipment - for example furniture, cash register systems, security systems - or for renovation work. Content-related support comes from the Testraum-Allee team of experts: the Design in Architecture office, the Urban Media Project communications agency and mentors from the Offenbach Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Offenbach offensiv association. The funding for this year has expired; information on a possible further funding phase can be found on the Instagram channel @zukunft_of_innenstadt and on the city's website.