History

Before the short wave radio, before the automobile, before Arizona became a US state, Krautheim has been advising Western Michigan residents about the most valuable purchases of their lives.

August Krautheim

In Muskegon's romantic era of 1887 August Krautheim, an Austrian immigrant, founded Krautheim Jewelers in Muskegon, Michigan in rented quarters on the corner of Pine and Western. The business steadily grew and in just two years August expanded, making the first of three moves that brought the store to Western Avenue.

Edward Krautheim

Edward inherited the family business in 1917 and infused it with his energy and robust business aspirations. He invested nearly everything he had to remodel the store. When fire destroyed it five years later, he did it all over again. In 1947 the newly rebuilt store stood in the place that was to become, and then unbecome, the Muskegon Mall on Western Avenue.

Edward Krautheim Jr.

In 1966, after a career of over 50 years Edward Sr. turned the reigns over to Edward Jr. By then a jeweler was no longer required to be an artisan, as both August and Edward Sr. had been. He needed to be knowledgeable in stones, metals, aesthetics, merchandising, and personnel management. He needed to be a business man with the heart of a romantic. Thus, Edward Sr. began a new era for Muskegon's oldest jewelry store, changing the store with the times.

Karl Krautheim

In 1994 Karl Krautheim became the 4th generation owner of Krautheim Jewelers, and the man who would take the company into the next century. While continuing the tradition of taking on the role of a personal advisor for men and women looking for jewelry, he has kept a close eye on keeping Krautheim Jewelers a jewelry store that caters to modern tastes.