Self-service ‘honesty shop’ where customers are trusted to not steal goods or cash is doing a roaring trade

With just a price list, the products on display and a cash box where shoppers leave their money, Daniel Wojtyński’s little self-service shop has become a hit with both locals and hikers. Robert Żygenda/Facebook

A fruit farmer from Gdynia is proving to be a hit with locals and hikers after opening an ‘honesty store’ offering fresh raspberries, homemade jams and juices. 

Initially intended as a way for locals to quickly pick up their orders of raspberries by the box later in the day, Daniel Wojtyński’s little self-service shop now has just a price list, the products on display and a cash box where shoppers leave their money. 

Malinogród & Malinowe Wzgórza

The shop named Malinogród & Malinowe Wzgórza, which roughly translates as ‘Raspberry Garden & Raspberry Hills’, sells fresh raspberries, homemade jams and juices. Malinogród & Malinowe Wzgórza

Operating on the outskirts of the city, the shop named Malinogród & Malinowe Wzgórza, which roughly translates as ‘Raspberry Garden & Raspberry Hills’, also lets customers use cashless payments. 

Wojtyński’s daughter Nadia told Trójmiasto.pl that the idea for the self-service store came about because during the season her father’s employees work from early morning hours until around 2pm, but most of the customers bought their fruit around 5pm. 

“Therefore, a kind of booth was created near our farm, where our customers could pick up their orders.”

The idea for the self-service store came about because during the season Wojtyński’s employees work from early morning hours until around 2pm, but most of the customers bought their fruit around 5pm.Malinogród & Malinowe Wzgórza

Three months on and despite a few dishonest people the business is doing well. 

Nadia said: “When it comes to thefts, unfortunately we have already had an incident four times in which money from a can or food products was stolen. 

“Therefore, we decided to install monitoring. But that's not what it's all about. 

Wojtyński’s daughter Nadia said that despite a few thefts “we trust people and we believe that we will eventually start to get used to such points, as a society, and there will be less thefts.”Bogumiła Świstek/Facebook

“We trust people and we believe that we will eventually start to get used to such points, as a society, and there will be less thefts.”

In response to the thefts a sign was put up saying: "Dear thief: you are hungry - eat! You are thirsty - have a drink! But please do not destroy the fruit of our hard work. 

“Remember: the good done will return to you a hundred times. The harm done will reach you faster than you think.”