Yearly, we salute the U.S. jewelers who’ve shut over the previous yr—our model of the Oscar “in memoriam” reel.
Under are the names of brick-and-mortar jewellery shops, listed by state, which have both closed their doorways or introduced they’d shut in 2022. It doesn’t embrace each retailer that closed, simply those that we discovered info on. This roster is predicated on info from native information sources and social media posts.
Simply as each retailer is completely different, each closing is completely different. In some instances, the jewelers are ending their bodily presence, however could proceed as a personal or on-line jeweler. There’s normally added context within the accompanying hyperlinks—but when there’s one thing you assume we must always know, ship me an electronic mail, and we’ll add it to the itemizing.
Why are these shops closing? Probably the most frequent reply homeowners gave is that they had a superb run, however they’re “drained” and have nobody to go the shop on to. Some stated enterprise had slowed, or their space of city had slowed. But, many extra reported a COVID-era enhance: One even stated he’s calling it quits as a result of issues had been too busy, and he couldn’t discover good assist. In two instances, jewelers cited being victims of against the law as a purpose for the closure.
Regardless of why they’re leaving, it’s bittersweet to see to say goodbye to so many good jewelers. Let’s elevate a glass of submit–New 12 months’s cheer to:
ALABAMA
Mike’s Positive Jewellery & Music Store, Birmingham (Source)
ARIZONA
Raskin’s Jewelers, Prescott (Source)
ARKANSAS
Roberson’s Positive Jewellery, Little Rock (Source)
White’s & Co. Jewellery, Rogers (Source)
CALIFORNIA
American Jewellery Co., Bakersfield (Source)
Edwards Jewelers, Modesto (Source)
Firefall Jewelers, Valley Springs (Source)
Grand Jewelers, Rancho Cucamonga (Source)
Margaret Elizabeth, San Francisco (Source)
Royal Jewelers, Newport Seaside (Source)
Siegel’s Jewellery, Paso Robles (Source)
COLORADO
Gusterman Silversmiths, Denver (Source)
CONNECTICUT
Beadworks, Norwalk (Source)
FLORIDA
Frazier Jewelers, Jacksonville (Source)
Warrington Jewelers, Pensacola (Source)
GEORGIA
Casella Jewelers, Augusta (Source)
Ned Money Jewelers, Brunswick (Source)
Starblaze Jewelers, Tucker (Source)
IDAHO
Norman Jewelers, Caldwell (Source)
ILLINOIS
AB Lauer Jewelers, Springfield (Source)
Bruce Jewelers, Princeton (Source)
Reichman Jewelers, Oak Garden (Source)
Sandberg Jewelers, Skokie (Source)
INDIANA
The Diamond Galleria, Evansville (Source)
Steffen’s Jewellery, Rensselaer (Source)
Victor Settle Jewellery, Bloomington (Source)
KENTUCKY
Hefner’s Jewelers, Coal Run Village (Source)
The Jewel Field, Louisville (Source)
Moore Jewellery, Louisville (Source)
LOUISIANA
Klutts Jewelers and Designers of Morgan Metropolis, Morgan Metropolis (Source)
MAINE
Gem Lounge Jewellery & Artisan Boutique, Raymond (Source)
L.Tardif Jeweler, Waterville (Source)
Maine Jewellery and Artwork, Bangor (Source)
Stars Positive Jewellery, Damariscotta (Source)
MASSACHUSETTS
Crown Jewelers, Pittsfield (Source)
Joel Bagnal Goldsmiths & Jewelers, Wellesley (Source)
Menard Jewelers, Whitman (Source)
Robert E. Guertin Jeweler, Sandwich (Source)
MICHIGAN
Austin & Warburton, Ann Arbor (Source)
Dearborn Jewelers, Plymouth (Source)
Delta Diamond Setters & Jewelers, Plymouth (Source)
Martinek’s Jewellery, Traverse Metropolis (Source)
Russell and Ballard Jewelers, Wyoming (Source)
MINNESOTA
Joel B. Sherburne Jewelers, White Bear Lake (Source)
MONTANA
L’Or Customized Jewelers, Kalispell (Source)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Alie’s Jewellery, Dover (Source)
NEW JERSEY
Rose Metropolis Jewelers/Gemologists, Madison (Source)
NEW YORK
Birzon Jewelers, Buffalo (Source)
The Mexican Shack, Somers (Source)
NORTH CAROLINA
Starnes Jewelers, Albemarle (Source)
Epic Instances Watch and Jewellery Retailer, Charlotte (Source)
Goldcrafting by Phillips & Co., Hendersonville (Source)
NORTH DAKOTA
Knowles Jewellery, Bismarck (Source)
OHIO
Leva Jewellery, Bellaire (Source)
Buchards Jewelers, Berea (Source)
Wiford Jewelers, Sidney (Source)
OREGON
Margulis Jewelers, Portland (Source)
Stephen Vincent Jewelers, Beaverton (Source)
PENNSYLVANIA
Beerbower Jewelers, Hollidaysburg (Source)
Schiffman’s Jewelers, Pittsburgh (Source)
Versant Positive Jewellery Boutique, Bethlehem (Source)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Shirley’s Jewelers, Conway (Source)
TENNESSEE
Brasfield’s Diamond Jewelers, Ripley (Source)
Moon’s Jewellery, Paris (Source)
TEXAS
Anderson Brothers Jewelers, Lubbock (Source)
Camillo’s Positive Jewellery, Conroe (Source)
Moretti’s Positive Jewellery, San Antonio (Source)
VIRGINIA
Carter’s Positive Jewelers and Presents, Rocky Mount (Source)
D.B. Bowles Jewelers, Suffolk (Source)
Aspects Positive Jewellery, Arlington (Source)
H.L. Lang Jewelers, Staunton (Source)
WASHINGTON
Martin’s Jewelers, Walla Walla (Source)
Provide Chain, Seattle (Source)
WEST VIRGINIA
McCormick Jewelers, Charleston (Source)
WISCONSIN
The Reward Itself, Inexperienced Bay (Source)
Schalla Jeweler, West Bend (Source)
Sadly, this listing consists of a number of companies that had been open for a century or extra. On the constructive facet, final yr marked the primary time within the final decade that the variety of shops opening roughly equaled the variety of shops closing. That reveals that, whereas the trade is consolidating, it nonetheless attracts newcomers.
Studying the articles above, it’s placing what number of jewelers say they’ll miss their job. “Being in enterprise is like an habit, being an entrepreneur, you might be betting on your self, somewhat like a gambler,” said one. “It was a rush.”
One other said: “Are you able to think about a nicer place to work? It’s been fantastic for us.”
However these articles additionally present that they are going to be missed by their communities. Many of those jewelers didn’t simply promote merchandise. They boosted native charities. They offered jobs and alternatives. They served and supported generations of households. Whereas their homeowners typically prospered, they gave again loads too.
To cite Clarence from It’s a Great Life, talking to archetypal small businessperson George Bailey: “Unusual, isn’t it? Every man’s life touches so many different lives. When he isn’t round, he leaves an terrible gap, doesn’t he?”
A few of these closures will depart an terrible gap of their communities. Let’s make a New 12 months’s decision to assist neighborhood shops and small companies. They want us, and, because the previous few years have confirmed, we’d like them.
Right here’s to all of the jewelers who’ve served their communities, in addition to those that proceed to take action. And right here’s to a cheerful, secure, and wholesome 2023.
Picture courtesy of Roberson’s Positive Jewellery
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