Kaufman-Straus, Bauwerk in den Vereinigten Staaten
Kaufman-Straus is a historic department store building in Kentucky that once served as a major retail hub in Louisville. The structure features brick walls, large multi-paned windows, and a straightforward design characteristic of early 20th century commercial buildings.
The store was founded by Henry Kaufman in 1879 and grew into one of Louisville's largest retailers, selling women's clothing, furs, and linens to the local community. It gained national attention in the early 1960s when it became a center of civil rights protests against racial segregation.
Kaufman-Straus became a focal point for civil rights action in Louisville during the early 1960s. The store represents how ordinary businesses became spaces where communities gathered to demand fair treatment and equality.
The building is located on a busy street surrounded by shops and dining options, making it easy to visit on foot. Today it functions as part of Fourth Street Live, hosting various businesses and spaces for visitors to explore.
The store's tea room, which once denied service to Black customers, was closed directly because of civil rights protests at this location. This tangible change shows how grassroots action produced concrete results.
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