Jeni's Fine Jewelers is continuing a nearly 140-year legacy of jewelry stores in downtown Albert Lea. The original jewelry store was opened by John Bessesen (father of Dr. William Bessesen, who built the opera house and Freeborn Bank Building) in 1885. He later sold the business to Wilhelm Braaten in 1920, who became known as the "King of Diamonds." In 1987, Larry and Sandra Fisher took over the location, operating as Fisher’s Fine Jewelers for over 35 years. Now, Keli and David Enser, owners of Jeni’s Fine Jewelers, are carrying forward this unbroken tradition from the Fisher Family, making their store the latest chapter in a jewelry legacy that has been part of this block since 1885. Photo courtesy Elisha Marin/Inkfish Design Studio

Keli and David Enser opened Jeni's Fine Jewelers in downtown Albert Lea earlier this month in the historic Bessesen building at 224 S. Broadway. Larry Fisher, who owned Fisher's Fine Jewelers before retiring, helped the couple get started. Photo courtesy Elisha Marin/Inkfish Design Studio

Many who attended the grand opening shared memories from the jewelry store from decades past. Photo courtesy Elisha Marin/Inkfish Design Studio