Weimar Berlin: Hemann Tietz, one of Berlins' biggest department stores

The Alexanderplatz branch

Hermann Tietz was one of Germany’s biggest department stores. In Berlin, it shared the market with other giants like KaDeWe and Wertheim. Hermann Tietz (1837-1907), the founder, was a German merchant of Jewish origin.

After succesfully opening stores in smaller East German towns, Tietz established his first one in Berlin. In 1900, Hermann Tietz opened a store in Leipziger Straße, located close to Wertheim, the biggest department store in Europe at the time. In 1904, Tietz opened another luxurious store at Alexanderplatz. The impressive and palace-like stores were designed to offer the customers a unique shopping experience. With ten department stores Tietz was the largest chain in Berlin, with some 13.000 employees in 1927.

The nazis "aryanized" the company and its name changed to Hertie. Under that name it survived the war and was later bought by Karstadt.

The Leipzigerstrasse's store.

By Unknown author - Antonia Meiners: 100 Jahre KaDeWe. Nicolai, Berlin 2007, ISBN 3-89479-386-4, p. 21, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7218544