Headlines

Jewelry Store Closes After 81 Years in Business

Published

8 years ago

September 27, 2016

It was a local landmark.

A jewelry store in Shelbyville, IN, has closed its doors after 81 years in business.

Connor Jewelry Store was a local “landmark” founded by Herb Connor, who died in 1980, the Shelbyville News reports. The business stayed in family hands with Herb Connor’s son David Connor, along with David’s wife, Viola Connor, operating it.

Now in their 80s and with health problems, David and Viola Connor are no longer able to run the store. Their children Linda Wentworth and Dan Connor recently held a closing sale, according to the Shelbyville News.

Wentworth tells the newspaper that her parents loved their customers and community.

But Dan Connor says it’s difficult for a store like the one his grandfather founded to survive in the current environment, with e-commerce and major chains putting pressure on the business model.

Read more at the Shelbyville News

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”