In Dresden, Germany, there is a quaint old street that seems untouched by time. Nestled in an inconspicuous corner lies one of the most beautiful milk shops in the world. In 1997, it earned a spot in the Guinness World Records and goes by the name of Pfunds Molkerei.
This milk shop has endured hardships, surviving two world wars, Soviet occupation, closures, and near destruction. Yet, it stands today, still shining brightly with a rich and tumultuous history behind it.
Stepping inside the shop, one is awestruck by its beauty and charm. Renowned for its high-quality dairy products, the shop’s interior is adorned with stunning hand-painted ceramic tiles, showcasing a colorful array of motifs by Villeroy & Boch in a New Renaissance style.
The tiles depict angels, playful children, floral wreaths, forest animals like squirrels and butterflies, and, of course, the iconic cows associated with the shop. The counter gleams with brass and tiled panels, adding to the overall elegance.
Here, visitors can taste the famous cheeses, delightful ice creams, or savor a glass of pure fresh milk. Adjacent to the shop, there’s a specialty store selling sausages, soups, and intense German mustard flavors.
Apart from its surface beauty, this fantastical shop harbors a captivating story behind its origins.
The Pfund family established the shop in Dresden in 1880 during the city’s industrialization period, a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit.
Amidst the city’s rapid growth, founder Paul Pfund noticed the insufficient hygiene standards of milk at the time, often contaminated, sour, or diluted with water. To improve the lives of locals, he opened a dairy spa, offering high-quality milk, which gradually prospered. Subsequently, they opened a milk shop on the outskirts of the city on Bautzner Street, which is today’s Pfunds Molkerei.
As entrepreneurs and farm owners, Paul Pfund and his brother Friedrich Pfund, a former actor, expanded their family business. They diversified their product line, expanded operations, and broadened distribution networks. Introducing butter presses and milk separators, they produced condensed milk, successfully entering international markets. Starting from supplying 500 liters of milk per day, by 1895, it had increased to 40,000 liters.
Operating independently, they raised livestock, established a cardboard factory, printing press, shoemaker’s workshop, paint shop, produced employee uniforms, and even had laundry facilities of their own.
The company also pioneered employee welfare initiatives, providing health and maternity insurance, and employee subsidies. Employees who worked for 25 years were entitled to lifelong benefits upon retirement at 65.
However, adversity struck, especially during World War II, nearly leveling Dresden to the ground. Miraculously, Pfunds Molkerei survived the bombings and fires of February 1945.
Yet, even more incredible was the preservation of the main shop and its neo-Renaissance style ceramic tiles, which they describe as miraculously unscathed on their website.
In the post-war era, East Germany fell under Soviet control, and Pfunds Molkerei faced nationalization under the communist regime.
The owners resisted the pressure for a time, but in 1972, it was forcibly expropriated, and eventually closed in 1978. The exquisite classical interior clashed with socialist aesthetics.
Due to neglect, most of the business facilities were dismantled. However, the elegant sales hall, adorned with mythical creatures, angels, and elaborate decor, miraculously remained intact.
The owners promptly contacted the Historical Monuments Protection Institute, securing a preservation order for the shop.
Ultimately, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the shop returned to the family in 1990. While management was temporarily transferred to a Dresden businessman, Pfunds Molkerei continues to operate, nearing its 150-year history mark.
Remarkably, only 5% of the tiles required replacement, with the rest being original. Villeroy & Boch, still in operation, supplied new tiles that seamlessly matched the original décor.
Once operating a vast dairy enterprise with various chains and production facilities, they have since outsourced their business to local farms.
Today, visitors can still wander into the shop, marvel at the vibrant ceramic tile decorations, admire the elegant and charming New Renaissance style design, and enjoy a hearty glass of pure fresh milk.