Clothes make the man

From the beginning of the 14th century until its demolition in 1812, the municipal department store stood in a central location in Mainz, known as Brand, not far from the Rhine. Together with other municipal institutions in its vicinity, it formed the secular counterpart to the nearby cathedral district. It was built on behalf of the citizens of Mainz as the largest department store in southwestern Germany. A privilege of King Louis IV from 1317 allowed them to collect a "moderate levy" from the sale of goods in this establishment. It was intended for wholesale and served as a dry, fireproof and theft-proof storage facility. According to a Mainz customs ordinance, merchants passing through were required to lay out their goods for three days, i.e., to "pile them up," and offer them for sale.