In February 1897 , a fire broke out in the basement , where the inventory and portions of the building were severely damaged . The building could be reopened at the time of Pentecost in 1897 . When the building was being repaired , the coffee house was integrated . Starting in 1900 , Bernheimer added antiques , tapestry , and valuable carpets to the assortment . As the business grew , the existing premises were insufficient , and in 1909/10 , Bernheimer-Haus was completed with the construction of a rearward building . In 1918 , Lehmann Bernheimer 's son , Otto Bernheimer , took over the business . During the Nazi dictatorship , the company was initially protected because Otto Bernheimer was an Honorary Consul of Mexico . In 1938/39 , after destruction and threats during the November Pogrom , the company was aryanized , and the Bernheimer family was initially detained in Dachau and then forced into exile
November Pogrom
Kristallnacht
Bernheimer-Haus