In June my family and I took a trip to Esbjerg, Denmark to where my Great Grandfather started his business, Bang-Knudsen. In 1893 Rasmus Bang-Knudsen opened a home goods store on the main shopping street in the growing port city of Esbjerg. My Grandfather Hugo worked at this store as a buyer for china and high end home goods and was Director of the business from 1943-1950, prior to emigrating for the US in 1950.

The store still exists, but is now owned by a national chain in Denmark, but the essence of the store is the same. The store carries premium Danish brands like EVA Solo, Royal Copenhagen, and Rosendahl, as well as some brands we currently represent like JURA, Bodum, and OXO.

I felt pride in seeing my family’s legacy in Denmark and to show my family a link to our current business here in the US.

Jacob Bang-Knudsen