Smallest Store

From The American Horologist magazine, November 1936

Smallest Store

The world's smallest jewelry store, dealers in Elgin watches, is owned and operated by Rolf H. Bruhn, a former student at the Elgin Watchmakers College. The store is located in the Liberty building, 602 Grand Ave., Des Moines, la.


The store includes a show window one and one half feet wide by five feet in length, built in the door which opens into the lobby of the Liberty building. A neon sign labels the shop, "World's Smallest Jewelry Store." 


Customers are unable to enter the store proper, but transact their business from the lobby. When the show case door is closed, it allows a space three feet square for a chair and a bench space 35 by 13 inches. On the wall is shelf space for a watch cleaning machine, crystal cabinet and electric soldering equipment. The lathe, motor and Elgin material cabinet are located on top of the bench and the staking tools and all lathe chucks are suspended from a stand.


Mr. Bruhn specializes in watch and clock repairing, jewelry repairing, ring soldering and engraving. Truly, this is one of Elgin's most unique retail outlets.