Der „Dietendorfer Laden“ in Gotha

Abstract

This article is a contribution to the economic history of the Neudietendorf Moravian Congregation at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. A shop in Gotha, the capital of the territory to which Neudietendorf belonged, was purchased in 1777 for the sale of handmade products from Neudietendorf and was maintained until 1842. In the ‘Dietendorf Shop’ on what is now Gotha’s New Market Square, only products made in Neudietendorf could be sold. The products on sale were of such quality and represented such good value that soon numerous Gotha guilds complained to the authorities. During the Napoleonic occupation, a time of poverty, the restrictions were loosened and a greater variety of products could be offered for sale. Some time after that, the shop became less successful and eventually insolvent. In 1842 the Neudietendorf Moravian Congregation therefore decided to sell the building and closed its business in Gotha after 65 years.