In order to fully appreciate our eyewear collection and the brand behind it that creates its energy, you must know the history behind us. Erkers Eyewear is a family-owned business with a rich Saint Louis history, dating back five generations to the company’s inception in 1879. Founded by A.P. Erker, an immigrant from Germany, and later incorporated when brother August Erker joined the business.

The first optical laboratory west of the Mississippi River, Erker's won optical machinery and! equipment awards at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition, served as the official photographer for the 1904 Saint Louis World's Fair, and custom ‘designed the goggles for Charles Lindbergh, used in his historic flight over the Atlantic. Early on, Erkers sold everything with a lens, from eye glasses, sunglasses, prescription lenses to cameras; goggles to microscopes. A key element to the company’s success has been the ability of its leaders to predict and identify new trends, not just keeping up with the competition, but leading the eyewear industry. Accordingly, throughout the twentieth century, as businesses have become more specialized, Erkers has narrowed its scope as well.

In the years since, the family business was carried on by the descendants of August Erker, first by his son Eugene, who took over circa 1930, followed by grandson Jack Sr., who took the reins in the 1960s, then by great-grandson, Jack Jr., in the early 1990's, who teamed up most recently with his two sons Jack Ill and Tony in early 2001.

The collections have since been carried on to every new season of eyewear designed, creating a new icon for each collection. Today, you can find a small emblem located on the temple tips of our eyewear. We hope our story will not only continue to pass on through the Erkers family, but our clients too.