Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KLAUER OPTICAL COMPANY
KLAUER OPTICAL. In 1939 Klauer Optical Company was founded by two brothers, Eldon and Clarence Klauer, both of whom were experienced technical opticians. Originally a wholesale optical business, selling frames and edging lenses for doctors' offices, they had a contract with St. Louis Optical during WORLD WAR II to produce lenses used in binoculars by the US Navy. In the late 1950s, the business became more retail-oriented and has for many years operated as a dispensary with an optometrist on premises and a surfacing and finishing lab. In 1985, a Cedar Rapids store joined the Dubuque flagship location.
Don Klauer, Clarence’s son, moved the company into the retail arena in the 1960s and 1970s. Don developed the contact lens division of the company as an early pioneer in contact lens fitting. He was nationally recognized as a leader in innovation. Don served as president of the Contact Lens Society of America, the Opticians Association of Iowa, the Opticians Association of America, and was a charter member of the National Contact Lens Examination Committee. He retired in 1998.
Under Jeff Klauer, the company made a concerted effort to enter the fashion arena beginning in 2003. He worked with 25 vendors (a dramatic increase from 15 in the past) and kept an inventory of 1,000 optical frames and 400 sunglasses in his Dubuque store and a few less in the Cedar Rapids location. Nearly all of the frames were on display. This and other changes in the business were an outgrowth of his involvement in the Eastern Optical Research Group, a management organization of optical retailers around the country. The business beginning in 2006 carried 21 sunglass collections. The company's focus on eyewear as a wardrobe accessory, led to marketing the company as Klauer Optical Company & Sunglass Center. (1)
Charles Klauer, Eldon’s son, managed the laboratory at Klauer Optical, personally fabricating nearly every pair of eyeglasses sold at the stores. In 2014 Klauer Optical’s staff of certified opticians have an average of over 21 years each in the optical business. Five have been with the company for over 25 years. (1)
Klauer Optical in the 1945 Dubuque City Directory through 1948 Dubuque Classified Business Directory listed 405 American Trust Building.
The 1959 Dubuque City Directory listed 401 American Trust Building and 1298 Dodge.
The 1962 Dubuque City Directory listed 864 Main and 1298 Dodge.
The 1964 and 1970 Dubuque City Directory listed 864 Main.
The 1972 and 1974 Dubuque City Directory listed 800 Main.
The address in 1977 was 1705 Delhi and 799 Main.
Klauer Optical in 1979 was located at two sites: Grandview & Delhi and Town Clock Plaza.
The 1980 through 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 8th and Town Clock Plaza and Grandview and Delhi. A second location in Cedar Rapids was opened in 1985.
From 1989 through 2014 the only location in Dubuque was Grandview & Delhi.
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Sources:
1. "Optical Shop From Dubuque," 20/20 Magazine. June 2006. Online: http://www.2020mag.com/story/575/
2. http://www.klaueroptical.com
Chronology '79, Telegraph Herald, p. 7
