In 1935, my Grandfather Ernst Fuchs, with courage and entrepreneurship, bought the Bookshop Wega, wich he directed for many years. Ernst Fuchs, originally from Wengen (Oberalp in Bern) besides being a formidable bookseller was also an experienced Book Antiquarian and passionate bibliophile.
The shop, situated in the heart of one of the most importat cities in Ticino, distinguished itself by its vast and carefully selected books, essays, manuals and precious old prints.
My grandfather was a man with a great knowledge (cultural and intelligence wise speaking) and since in his shop the German written books where considered “at home”, he soon began to have German artist as friends, which lived or just came across in Lugano. They where many among them such as Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann (both Nobel Prize winners), the piano player Wilheöm Backhaus (future honorary citizen of Lugano), the Chinese writer and translator Lin Yutang, the famous orchestra director Bruno Walter and the great Hungarian chart Imre Reiner.
It was exactly Imre Reiner, international typographic artist with 11 published essays, who created the famous “fox” logo,which in German means “Fuchs” and which today still embroiders the soul of the shop.
In the fifties, the bookshelves, where meanwhile counting more than 125’000 titles, my parents Riccardo Reposo and Susanne Fuchs took the shop over and it’s thanks them that stationary part of the shop was added.
My mother, only child of my grandfather, studied in St. Gallen and worked with dedication together with my father in the shop for almost 60 years.
Nowadays the shop, completely modernized, expect for a few original elements back from the 1930’s, is still managed by the family, the third generation by now.
The big shop windows under the arcades in via Nassa, hold the book news, while those on the lakeside show different pens from the best brands, elegant paperboard and original gift ideas.
Inside, with a distinctive retro look, there can be found beautiful letter cards for every event, decorative and gift paper, diaries, blocks for notes and many other things.
Almost entirely paperboard offered by the shop, is produced by Rossi 1931, a wellknown company with their main seat nearly Florence. This Italian company, (also managed by family Rossi), whit whom we work together since many years and which is well received by even foreign customers, have nearly their completly collection exposed, which never stoped to astonish.
The continuos research at international fairs, allows us to chose an offer in the shoponly exclusive items. Most of them are created by master artisans and are limited editions. Hand painted ceramics, cutlery with handle in true horn, elegant Italian leather goods, globes, wooden trotters and many interesting items offer to our customers a great and original choice.
The bookshop part of “Fuchs & Reposo”, unique in Lugano, is always well assorted with German, Italian, English, French and Russian titles. The whole offer is extended by geographical maps and tourist guides. And last but not least, the important and accurate research of antiques books, with almost unfindable and rare pieces of literature, together with antique prints of Ticino and Switzerland, complete this one of a kind experience.
Susanne Reposo
2019
At the beginning of the year, the store changed ownership. Thanks to the Reposo family who, for three generations, managed with love and dedication, this beautiful store in the heart of Lugano. The intent of the new property is to keep the prestige of this historic shop intact and to renew the offer of products and services to be offered to the vast and loyal clientele.
An important commitment that will not be disregarded.
Regina Bucher
Mit Hermann Hess durchs Tessin
“in Via Nassa”
“The walk takes you on from Piazza della Riforma to Via Nassa that starts at the southern end of the square and offers a fantastic range of luxury shops and fashionable boutiques. The bookshop Wega is located almost at the end of the street, nearly secluded and rather modest in its appearance. It was in this store that Hermann Hesse covered his demand for stationery products for decades. He always maintained a close relationship with the then owner Ernst Fuchs born in Bern, Fuchs’ grand-daughter, today still manages the bookshop. Fuchs and Hesse shared a business relationship that crossed into more of a personal one, they would sit together, drink tea, talk about the daily events and the weather but above all they would extensively discuss the differences in the quality of the fountain pens that the author thoroughly tested by comparing their features. Hermann Hesse’s stamps were also made by Fuchs which is evidenced by his handwritten purchase order carefully archived by the Fuchs family”.
2021
Wega 1935 opens its first branch in beautiful Lucerne. The new store is located in the historic city center, in the famous Hirschenplatz.
“Hirschenplatz, in the late Middle Ages, was a narrow street that served as a city animal market which was later moved in front of the Baslertor around 1545. After a fire, two houses were built in 1555/56, creating the “New Square”. The place takes its name from the “Hirschen” inn, attested since 1472.”.
In the “boutique” in Lucerne, many exclusive items from all over the world are offered. A vast assortment of pens of the most famous brands, fine Italian stationery, Florentine hand made leather goods and a full assortment, periodically renewed, of gift items.