After more than 130 years, this traditional business was abandoned.

After the Franco-German War of 1870/1871, Cologne also experienced a great economic and industrial upswing. The Rheinauhafen is put into operation and a tram network is created. The population of Cologne is rising sharply during this time. Since the medieval city wall is largely demolished from 1881, the city can be significantly expanded

Important for this time is also the completion of the Cologne Cathedral 1842 to 1880. The facade plans of the Cologne Cathedral had been rediscovered, Goethe admired Gothic architecture, the cathedral became the symbol of a German national movement. The Prussian King Friedrich Willhelm IV also became a supporter.

The Severinstraße already formed the main axis of the 20th century. Severinsviertel ("Vringsveedel"), her Urkölnische character has since been lost. The historian Joseph Klersch In 1949, after the Second World War, Severinstraße was called the “High Street of the South Workers’ Road”.[46] He meant this mainly by factory workers – also by the chocolate factory opened on October 1, 1872 in the neighbouring Annostraße. Stollwerck – inhabited “Vringsveedel”, whose main shopping street was Severinstraße.

Mantz, Werner, Schaufenster der Drudi Kleiderpflege in Cologne, Haus Dinklage, Severinstraße 32, Cologne, rba_d050141.
Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Mantz, Werner, Schaufenster der Drudi Kleiderpflege in Cologne, Haus Dinklage, Severinstraße 32, Cologne, rba_d050141.Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_d050141 · Image source · Image credit
On St. Magdalene / corner of Severinstraße 1963 seen from St. Tower St. Severin
Viewed from St. Magdalenen / corner of Severinstraße 1963 from St. Tower St. Severin (Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf111953)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf111953 · Image source · Image credit
Severinstraße corner Rosenstraße and Jospehstraße 1973
Severinstraße corner Rosenstraße and Jospehstraße 1973 (Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf144762)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf144762 · Image source · Image credit
Severinstraße 35-37 from the Tower of St. Severin 1963
Severinstraße 35-37 from the Tower of St. Severin 1963 (Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf111945)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf111945 · Image source · Image credit
Severinstraße 62 1973
Severinstraße 62 1973 (Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf144760)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mf144760 · Image source · Image credit
Severinstraße 128 W. Ludwigs 1976
Severinstraße 128 W. Ludwigs 1976 (Photo: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mfL003267_01)Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mfL003267_01 · Image source · Image credit

Historical black and white image of Severinstraße with shops, cars and passers-by.
Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_mfL002483_02 · Image source · Image credit

Due to the construction of the subway and the changes in the retail structures in the ancillary centers, the road has changed. Many long-established shops have disappeared from the streets and new ones have settled.

A few examples of recent businesses that no longer exist:

Reception of a shop for natural remedies in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Business entrance on the corner of a brightly plastered house in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Showcase of a clothing store under round arches in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Bookshop The bookworm with books in the shop window.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Storefront of the electrical business EP Ring Elektra in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Shop with several round-arched shop windows in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit
Illuminated shop window with gift items in Severinstraße.
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit

Sources:

Carl Dietmar, Werner Jung: Cologne. The great city history, Klartext Verlag, Essen 2015

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ln https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschichte_der_Stadt_K%C3%B6ln https://www.koeln.de/ausstellungen/geplante_ausstellungen/koeln-in-unheiligen-zeiten-die-stadt-im-dreissigjaehrigen-krieg_844635.html https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franzosenzeit https://www.ksta.de/koeln/koeln-im-18–jahrhundert-kluengel–suff-und-gottesfurcht-3965100 https://koeln-magazin.info/nationalsozialismus.html https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severinstra%C3%9Fe_(K%C3%B6ln)