The history of the Jewish company M. Kempinski & Co., a traditional Berlin business and namesake of the world-famous hotel group, remains largely unknown to this day. Initially a wine shop, the Kempinskis managed to expand their business during the founding era into one of the leading gastronomy establishments in Berlin. "Kempinski" became synonymous with fine dining in the still young capital. The opening of "Haus Vaterland" at Potsdamer Platz in 1929 marked the pinnacle of success and set new standards: a large restaurant operation that offered experiential dining in ten themed halls for a mass audience and could accommodate 3,500 guests. However, what the recession and economic crisis could not achieve, the National Socialists later accomplished: ongoing boycotts and economic exclusion pushed Kempinski to the brink of insolvency.