Berka Mintz was a wealthy merchant of Polotsk in the early 20th century. His house was located on the main street of the city – Vitebskaya Street. This building is not preserved. Mintz owned several large shops. He owned a manufactory shop and a haberdashery shop in the city center. A customer could buy a factory-made goods and personal items in those shops. In the universal shop various goods were on sale: manufactured goods, handicrafts, food and clothing accessories.