| When Emil Schatzlein left Kilzschein in the | | | | reason. Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is |
| Bavarian Wine country, he came to Minneapolis | | | | located, has one of the largest per capita |
| with several others from his hometown. He was | | | | number of horse owners in the entire |
| a leather maker and he wanted to set up a | | | | country.Even so, 97 years is a long time to |
| business in a central location. At the time, | | | | be in business. The fact that it is still |
| Minneapolis was a thriving milling and lumber | | | | around speaks to the dedication of the family |
| center set on the banks of the Mighty | | | | to keep the name and company going. |
| Mississippi. It was a small commercial area | | | | Schatzlein's is still famous for its |
| surrounded by farms and he knew that farmers | | | | traditionally friendly customer service. |
| needed harnesses. So he set up shop on Lake | | | | Grandchildren of the customers who bought |
| Street near Lyndale Avenue at the eastern | | | | harnesses are now buying their clothing and |
| edge of the city. Not too long before, Lake | | | | saddles there. But customer service is only |
| Street was the main Indian path from Lake | | | | one aspect. Another is the location. Although |
| Calhoun to Fort Snelling.His decision turned | | | | West Lyndale Avenue is no longer the |
| out to be a good one. Many farmers were | | | | outskirts of the city, the shop is convenient |
| German and liked to deal with him because he | | | | to major arteries. 35W and I94 are only |
| made a good product. They also liked the | | | | blocks away, and Lyndale Avenue is still an |
| location because it was easy to find. As the | | | | important route between the northern and |
| years passed, the city expanded. Schatzlein's | | | | southern suburbs.Schatzlein's was around when |
| no longer was at the edge of the city, but | | | | I was a young boy in the middle '40s and our |
| very much in the center. The products he sold | | | | family passed it often as we traveled on Lake |
| changed with the expansion. Horses no longer | | | | Street. As far as I know, it's the only one |
| were used nearly exclusively for labor, | | | | left from that era. Even though I've only |
| people began to ride them for enjoyment. | | | | ridden a horse three times in my life, I hope |
| Sales of harnesses gave way to saddles and | | | | it will still be around for my |
| leather boots. The trend has continued into | | | | grandchildren.John Anderson has been an |
| the third generation. Janet Schatzlein is the | | | | entrepeneur for most of his life, working as |
| granddaughter of Emil. Their storefront sells | | | | a substitute teacher, stamp dealer, antiques |
| English and Western saddles and clothing. | | | | and collectibles dealer, and most recently, |
| People who have never been near a horse buy | | | | author. His novel, The Cellini Masterpiece, |
| western clothing, and cowboy boots are as | | | | is a mystery-suspense novel set on the island |
| common as loafers. But saddles are still a | | | | of Malta. |
| large part of their inventory. For good | | | | |