Store/Shop

Isaak Hess (1789-1866) opened an antiquarian bookshop in his hometown of Lauchheim in 1817, which he moved to Ellwangen in 1838. The antiquarian bookshop soon became one of the most important of its time and was continued after Hess' death by his sons Moritz and Sigmund. The building at Schmiedstraße 6 also served as a residence.

Hess also became an early board member of Lauchheim's Jewish community and played an important role in the emancipation of Württemberg's Jews in the 19th century.

In the address book of the city of Suhl from the year 1910, the following entry can be found in the company register section: Levy, David, Inh: Gustav Levy jun. und N. Ottensoser, Schnittwaren- und Lederhandlung, Langebrücke 19.

The merchant Julius Sommer, born on October 10, 1859 in Höchheim/Lower Franconia, married Johanna, née Levi, on January 19, 1891 in Eschwege. The couple lived in Suhl, initially at Herrenstrasse 28 (1892/1893) and later at Steinweg 25. Their son Julius was born on January 15, 1892. Daughter Gretchen followed on March 9, 1893. Julius Sommer died on March 6, 1926 in Suhl. His wife succeeded him 10 years later on his birth date, October 10, 1936. Julius Sommer belonged to the representation of the Jewish community of Suhl.

Karl Böhm was a nicer older guy who came to Stralsund around 1900. He lived first in the Külperstraße 8 and later in the Badenstraße 43 alein. He had a good word for everyone and was secretly entertained by his friend Heinz Schilling in the "Golden Lion". This was forbidden at that time. In addition, high-ranking people stayed at the "Golden Lion". Only trusted waiters were allowed into the back room, where the two friends also played and partied with other Jews. Schilling won the trial on November 9, 1939. His friend was deported on the night of February 12-13.

The Wertheim family starts their business in a small tenement house at Wasserstraße 14 in Stralsund. After moving and expanding the properties, by 1927 they build a department store that spanned Ossenreyerstrasse 8 to 12. After Abraham's wife and children also joined the family business, they built a thriving department store. The Wertheim family introduced many new business principles, such as the right of return, and soon expanded until their department stores were also expropriated by the Nazis. The building standing on the site today still has the facade renovated in 1903. 

The Tietz family of merchants shaped the development of the department store industry in Germany with their ideas and innovations. On Aug. 14, 1879, Leonhard Tietz opened a store for woolen goods at Ossenreyerstrasse 31 in Stralsund. With Sally and Max Baumann, the brothers of Leonhard's wife Flora, he expanded into western Germany. In 1902 Leonhard opened a modern department store at Ossenreyerstrasse 19. He died on 14.11.1914 at the age of 65.