Swiss Connections LLC
The Owners
The Owners
photograph by Maria Taylor
THE
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Click to enlarge
The von Atzigen family. L-R, daughter Vera, Franz & Maria, son Reto & wife Victoria
Opening celebration October 6th, 2006
OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Celebrated with Impressionistic Journey opening
& the Swiss Club of SW Florida
& the Swiss Club of SW Florida
Participating artists from the "Impressionistic Journey" opening
Swiss Chocolate +'s Edith Winter, Terri Tetrault & Franz von Atzigen
Maria von Atzigen with Gordon Bower and Ruth Spies from the Punta Gorda Herald
Maria von Atzigen with radio personality Charlie Shoe at the "impressionistic Journeys" opening
Gallery manager Terri Tetrault with artist Gwen Slimp at the "Impressionistic Journey's" opening event
Gallery Joe Mathis hosts a meeting of the Swiss American Club of SW Florida
The Swiss American Club of SW Florida celebrates the one year anniversary of Gallery Joe Mathis
The owners of Swiss Connections LLC, Franz und Maria von Atzigen, have been described by those whose lives they have touched over the years as an enthusiastic, creative and well-tuned team, a couple with boundless energy and compassion who also know how to have a good time!
Should you wonder why the von Atzigens decided to make Punta Gorda their permanent home, read on.
The wish to settle in sunny Florida was a logical extension of their last, pre-retirement posting in sunny Singapore where Franz worked as counselor and acting Ambassador at the Embassy of Switzerland from 1996-2001 and, as in all other assignments around the world, Maria was the driving force behind countless projects for the local and Swiss communities.
During Franz's 31-year career in the diplomatic service, where a move was expected of the family every three years or so -- taking them from postings in France to those in Austria, China, Africa, the USA, Germany and Singapore -- the von Atzigens were searching for a friendly community long before the actual retirement date. When visiting friends in PGI in 1998, they fell in love with a piece of land on Lucia Drive and started to dream about a future home. Long-distance planning and several trips from Singapore enabled them to move into their home in 2002.
Maria and Franz von Atzigen grew up in Switzerland. Franz hails from Alpnach/Obwalden right in the heart of Switzerland, while Maria was born in Zurich. Her artist father, Joe Mathis, had settled with his family in nearby Bonstetten in 1949.
A devoted family, Maria and Franz and their two children were frequent guests in Bonstetten throughout the time of their diplomatic postings. When Maria's father passed away in 2002, leaving close to 600 paintings, posters, sketches etc. as his legacy, the idea of an art gallery in his honor seemed a logical next step. Building it in Punta Gorda made a dream come true. Despite the devastation caused by hurricane Charley in August 2004, the von Atzigens went ahead with their plans to build a four-unit business/apartment complex at the corner of Sullivan Street and W. Virginia Avenue, home today of the Gallery JOE MATHIS and SWISS CHOCOLATE+ as well as two additional rental units.
Meanwhile, the paintings were crated, shipped from Switzerland to Punta Gorda. A selection of these artworks has been on display at the Gallery JOE MATHIS since it's opening in October 2006.
To much acclaim and favorable feedback, SWISS CHOCOLATE+ had its soft opening on August 3rd, 2006, followed by the Grand Opening of the entire complex on October 7th. The celebrations, featuring Swiss food and music as well as a live radio broadcast, turned into a memorable Volksfest.
Franz and Maria von Atzigen are excited about making a contribution to the community of Punta Gorda, which they value highly, and encourage you to watch this space for further announcements.
SWISS CONNECTIONS LLC - THE BUILDING
Swiss Connections is the proud recipient of the following awards:
June 2006
Team Punta Gorda Citizens Master Plan.
Design award received in recognition of Swiss Connections efforts to implement the design principles and concepts outlined in the plan drawn up following the devastation caused by hurricane Charley in August 2004.
June 2007
Revitalization Award from the City of Punta Gorda for the construction of the Swiss Connections building at 403 Sullivan Street and to recognize the efforts of Swiss Connections LLC to revitalize their neighborhood.
Swiss Connections, housed in an intriguing building in the historic district of Punta Gorda on 403 Sullivan Street, holds four retail shops:
Swiss Chocolates+
Offers a wide selection of mouthwatering Swiss chocolates, pastries, gift boxes for all occasions, and tempts you with an array of delicious coffees in the cozy setting of the store.
Tel. 941.639.9484.
The Yoga Sanctuary
Pilates for Life
Ooodles of Punta Gorda
Should you wonder why the von Atzigens decided to make Punta Gorda their permanent home, read on.
The wish to settle in sunny Florida was a logical extension of their last, pre-retirement posting in sunny Singapore where Franz worked as counselor and acting Ambassador at the Embassy of Switzerland from 1996-2001 and, as in all other assignments around the world, Maria was the driving force behind countless projects for the local and Swiss communities.
During Franz's 31-year career in the diplomatic service, where a move was expected of the family every three years or so -- taking them from postings in France to those in Austria, China, Africa, the USA, Germany and Singapore -- the von Atzigens were searching for a friendly community long before the actual retirement date. When visiting friends in PGI in 1998, they fell in love with a piece of land on Lucia Drive and started to dream about a future home. Long-distance planning and several trips from Singapore enabled them to move into their home in 2002.
Maria and Franz von Atzigen grew up in Switzerland. Franz hails from Alpnach/Obwalden right in the heart of Switzerland, while Maria was born in Zurich. Her artist father, Joe Mathis, had settled with his family in nearby Bonstetten in 1949.
A devoted family, Maria and Franz and their two children were frequent guests in Bonstetten throughout the time of their diplomatic postings. When Maria's father passed away in 2002, leaving close to 600 paintings, posters, sketches etc. as his legacy, the idea of an art gallery in his honor seemed a logical next step. Building it in Punta Gorda made a dream come true. Despite the devastation caused by hurricane Charley in August 2004, the von Atzigens went ahead with their plans to build a four-unit business/apartment complex at the corner of Sullivan Street and W. Virginia Avenue, home today of the Gallery JOE MATHIS and SWISS CHOCOLATE+ as well as two additional rental units.Meanwhile, the paintings were crated, shipped from Switzerland to Punta Gorda. A selection of these artworks has been on display at the Gallery JOE MATHIS since it's opening in October 2006.
To much acclaim and favorable feedback, SWISS CHOCOLATE+ had its soft opening on August 3rd, 2006, followed by the Grand Opening of the entire complex on October 7th. The celebrations, featuring Swiss food and music as well as a live radio broadcast, turned into a memorable Volksfest.
Franz and Maria von Atzigen are excited about making a contribution to the community of Punta Gorda, which they value highly, and encourage you to watch this space for further announcements.
Contributed by MW
SWISS CONNECTIONS LLC - THE BUILDING
Swiss Connections is the proud recipient of the following awards:
June 2006Team Punta Gorda Citizens Master Plan.
Design award received in recognition of Swiss Connections efforts to implement the design principles and concepts outlined in the plan drawn up following the devastation caused by hurricane Charley in August 2004.
June 2007Revitalization Award from the City of Punta Gorda for the construction of the Swiss Connections building at 403 Sullivan Street and to recognize the efforts of Swiss Connections LLC to revitalize their neighborhood.
Swiss Chocolates+
Offers a wide selection of mouthwatering Swiss chocolates, pastries, gift boxes for all occasions, and tempts you with an array of delicious coffees in the cozy setting of the store.
Tel. 941.639.9484.
The Yoga Sanctuary
Pilates for Life
Ooodles of Punta Gorda