The Berlin-based family business Kempinski gained worldwide fame during the imperial era. The restaurant was known for its unique atmosphere, its culinary delights, and not least for its charismatic owner Berthold Kempinski, who set in motion a story like no other. Born in 1843, the son of a Jewish wine merchant from the Prussian province of Posen, he dreamed early on of having his own establishment in Berlin. Finally, in 1872, Berthold Kempinski opened the wine shop M. Kempinski & Co on Friedrichstrasse, which quickly became popular among the upper class. With charm and business acumen, he succeeded in building a thriving enterprise. After a phase of economic difficulties that began during World War I, a new upswing followed in the Weimar Republic: in 1928, the successors of the company founder opened new establishments.