KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens)

The KaDeWe department store (pronounced "cardayvay") in Berlin's Schöneberg district is one of the largest in Europe. First opened in 1907 it was bought by Hermann Tietz in 1927 and now belongs to the Hertie group. It burned down completely in the Second World War after an aircraft crashed onto it, was rebuilt after the war and reopened on July 3, 1950. It attracted about 18,000 customers on the first day. Following further extensions and rebuilding between 1977-78 it was inaugurated once more on Apr. 6, 1978.

The sales rooms are spread over seven floors, the total useable area being 70,000 sq.m/84,000 sq.yd and the sales area 43,000 sq.m/51,600 sq.yd. The various floors are connected by means of 21 lifts and 44 escalators. The daily consumption of water and electricity is as much as that of a small town. All conceivable kinds of goods and services are available, from antiques and angling requisites, camping goods, computers, electrical items, cosmetic studios, fashion departments, opticians, perfumeries, CDs and records, toys and sports goods, shoes and jewelry, a wedding service, hobbies and even a poodle parlor. Today the KaDeWe is the best-known department store in Berlin and one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. A particular attraction is the extremely well-stocked food department on the sixth floor. It has an immense selection of all kinds of foodstuffs and delicacies, especially the rare and unusual. A total of some 5,100 items includes 1,700 kinds of cheese, 100 different sausages and 800 types of bread, as well as in-season whole wild boar hang in the "Game and Poultry" department. Carp, pike, trout, lobster and crayfish swim in the tanks.

Gourmets and delicatessen-lovers regularly lay siege to the numerous food counters.