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Readers’ Thoughts on the Election Year, the Pandemic and the Holiday Season

Letters to the editor this month run the gamut.

Published

5 years ago

November 21, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore November 2020 Issue

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday. With over half my life in the jewelry industry, my daughter-in-law Shelby and my granddaughter Jessica designed an amethyst geode cake for my special day! I was so impressed, I wanted to share it! — Renah Gerstenberg, Endless Diamonds, Houston, TX
I really don’t like election years. They are bad for business and put everyone in awful moods. I’m hoping we know the winner ASAP so everyone can get on with their holiday season and spread some cheer. — Marc Majors, Sam L. Majors, Midland, TX
I honestly am having trouble focusing past the election! I am trying to let it go and get my mind focused on after the election, not making decisions based on its outcome. — Christine Matlack, E.G. Landis Jewelers, Boyertown, PA
You can plan, but if someone in the store happens to contract the coronavirus, you may find yourself closed for a period during the holiday season. Proceed with caution! — Jon Walp, Long Jewelers, Virginia Beach, VA
Elections distract customers. I believe business will improve after the first week of November. Stacey Horcher, J. Reiss, Lincolnwood, IL
We need less crime, division and violence around the country to be comfortable enough to remain in the industry and for newcomers to be willing to bear all of the risk associated with operating a jewelry business. — Robert Borneman, Diamond Jewelers, Centereach, NY
I’m pretty confident in business this fall and Christmas season. With travel and holidays off the table, people seem to be treating themselves with jewelry. — Ralph Vandenberg, Vandenberg’s Jewellers, Edmonton, AB
1. We are doing well with lab-created diamonds, despite numerous voices within the industry that are trying to fight against them. We have sold lab-created colored gemstones for years — why not lab-created diamonds, if that is what the consumer wants? 2. The election has not yet had any noticeable effect on business. 3. We are a small-town local jeweler — Black Friday is dominated by the big box stores. Holiday sales will either be very good or very bad, depending on how the election comes out and how the COVID-19 virus develops. — James Sickinger, Sickinger’s Jewelry, Lowell, IN
With all the stupid new news out there every day, it’s nice to see your magazine in the mail. Thanks guys! — Tommy Thobe, The Village Gem, Perry Hall, MD

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.