1892
Joseph Pratt opened a jewelry shop on Annandale’s Main Street. Later that year, William Krohn purchased the business from Pratt. Krohn operated the store for the next 22 years. In 1914, he sold the shop to T. Thompson of Buffalo, who would own the business for just a short time before it sold again.
1915
On June 10, 1915, Albin Q. Lundman became the new owner. It was about this time that a 4,000 lb. safe was placed in the store. Nearly 110 years later, it still stands in the exact same place. During the 34 years Lundman operated his shop, countless clocks and watches were serviced and sold, along with jewelry, silverware, glassware and other novelties. For a period of years he also sold pianos and phonographs. When you’re in the store, you’ll see Lundman’s name on the clock hanging behind our bench.
1949
In 1949, Lundman sold the shop to Leo B. Miller, then of St. Cloud. Lee, as he was known, had returned wounded from World War II and graduated from the Elgin Watchmaker’s School in Elgin, Illinois where he gained experience as a watchmaker and jeweler. He renamed the business Miller’s Jewelry and operated the business with his wife Doris for 29 years.
1974
Lee’s son Mark completed Watch and Clock Making School at St. Paul Technical College and began serving an apprenticeship at Elmquist Jewelers in Wilmar. He then joined his father in the family business.
1978
Mark carried on the tradition when he purchased the business with his wife Laurel in 1978. Together they operated and expanded the business for the next 32 years.
1996
The store doubled in size with the purchase of the adjacent building, Village Fix It. Mark and Laurel extensively remodeled at that time, and a few years later completed a new, much wider, storefront exterior.
2002
Mark’s son Jim joined the family business, after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Management from Hamline University in St. Paul, along with Bench Jewelry and Gemology Certification from Minneapolis Community & Technical College and Clock Repair Certification from St. Paul Technical College. Mark’s son Joel came on board in 2005, and quickly learned the trade of being a goldsmith from his father.
2011
Ownership of Miller’s Jewelry changed hands for just the third time to Mark’s son Jim, and his wife Amy. A remodel of the existing store unearthed the original floors of the 1892 building.
2020
In 2020, a complete street overhaul of downtown Annandale brought wide sidewalks, trees and replaced the aging canopy system with individual building awnings. Today the new feel is being enjoyed by all who live in and visit our community.
2024
This year we will celebrate 75 years of business by the Miller family. Friendly service, exceptional products and quality repair remain the foundation of our business.