Headlines

Jewelry Store Closing After 100 Years in Business

Published

7 years ago

December 14, 2016

INSTORE Staff

The owner says shutting down is “bittersweet.”

Gaalaas Jewelers in Stillwater, MN, is closing after 110 years in business.

Christmas Eve will be the downtown shop’s last day in business, the Pioneer Press reports.

Owner Dan Gfrerer had retired from the store in 2007, with his son Brandon Gfrerer, taking over the business. But earlier in 2016, the younger Gfrerer went to work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Dan Gfrerer took over once again.

Dan Gfrerer was “locally famous for keeping track of customers’ birthdays and anniversaries and making reminder phone calls,” the newspaper reports. He began working for Gaalaas Jewelers in 1965 before eventually buying the business.

The store is also well-known for its custom work.

Gfrerer said closing up shop is “bittersweet.”

“I want to be done with it, but I hate to see the end of an era,” he told the Pioneer Press.

Read more at the Pioneer Press

click to Comment(Comment)

Up Next

De Beers Opens Flagship US Store

Don't Miss

‘Notorious’ Jewel Thief Arrested Once Again

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”