Headlines

Jewelry Store Closes After 81 Years in Business

Published

7 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

Wilkerson Testimonials

Wilkerson: “They Feel Like Family”

Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., was a true institution. But after being at the helm for most of his life, owner (and descendent of the original founder) Kelly Newton decided it was time to retire. He chose Wilkerson to handle the sale. “I’ve known the owners of Wilkerson for a long, long time. I felt at home with them,” he says. The final retirement sale was just a “blast” and the Wilkerson sales team made it so very simple and straightforward, says Newton. Would he recommend Wilkerson to others? Absolutely. “They’ve done incredible work,” says Newton. “They feel like family.”