Storefront and logo of the Herz family shoe store, ca. 1930.

In 1894, merchant Ludwig Herz opened his shoe store in the Oppenheim House. The product range was aimed at wealthy customers, attracted not only by the high quality of shoes and accessories but also by Ludwig’s marketing skills. In advertisements and in the company logo, he played on his last name Herz, which means ‘heart’ in German. This marketing ploy is evident in the sign above the storefront that features a heart symbol, and in the company’s slogan “With heart to the sole.”