Established in 1896…

Klumpp’s was founded by Johannes “John” Klumpp as a harness making business at 31 N Waterloo (later renamed Market Ave.). John and his wife, Rosina Katharina Rothfuss immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1881 and raised their 6 children on the west side of Grand Rapids.

In 1904, John Klumpp’s son, William C. Klumpp, was working as his father’s apprentice. Automobiles were starting to replace horses, and John Klumpp began to change his business from a harness making business to a leather goods store.

On Christmas Day 1939, John Klumpp died at age 83. He had retired by then, and Klumpp Leather Goods Store was in the good hands of his son, William C. Klumpp as the owner-operator.

In 1972, Klumpp’s was purchased by its current owner, Dennis Wooldridge and his father, Howard “Buck” Wooldridge. Dennis continues to operate Klumpp’s and has expanded the service offerings of the business to include luggage and zipper repair as well.