Baden-Behr shoe store

The shoe store was founded by Aron Behr in 1852 and taken over by his son Max Behr in 1917. Max Behr died in 1924, leaving behind his wife Lucie and three children. His widow Lucie Behr married Sally Baden in 1925. Both continued to run the shoe business. 

On March 27, 1933, the business fell victim to anti-Semitic attacks by the National Socialists. Under the slogan „Don't buy from Jews“, SA men stood in front of the store. Later, posters with the slogan "Jews are not wanted here" were stuck up opposite the shoe shop. A local colleague had the exclusive representation of the shoe brand Salamander terminated for Schuhhaus-Behr. In addition to the boycott of their business, this resulted in further financial losses. The business was no longer viable and the family's living situation became increasingly difficult. The owners Lucy Behr-Baden (née Joseph) and Sally Baden were forced to sell the shoe shop. The buyer was Carl Schnabel. He acquired the business, including the inventory and warehouse, for a total of around 65,600 RM. The actual value of the shoes in the warehouse alone amounted to 70,000 RM. At the same time, the Baden-Behr family rented the entire house to Carl Schnabel at a favorable price. They themselves initially had the right to live there, but undertook to move out soon.

Lucie Behr-Baden's older children, who had already left for Palestine and Australia, hurriedly obtained papers for the couple's departure to Palestine. Before the planned departure, they sell their house to Carl Schnabel, who had previously only rented it. Carl Schnabel succeeds in reducing the price of the house to such an extent that he only has to pay 37,000 RM for the land and building. The Baden-Behr couple could not freely dispose of the money, as a so-called security order had been issued against them in the meantime. Lucie Behr-Baden was deported to Riga via Hamburg in 1941 and Sally Baden in 1942.