Press Releases

Royal Chain’s Gary Austein Retires After 17 Years

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2018

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – Royal Chain, the leading supplier of gold chains and finished jewelry announced that Gary Austein, vice president of sales for the independent division, retired in early January. Austein, who worked at Royal Chain for 17 years, focused his time mainly on the development of the independent retail business for the company. His passion for this part of the business stemmed from his own history as a retailer in New York City, and he felt that it was that experience that allowed him to understand the needs of the independent jeweler most. Austein closed his own retail operation in the 90s after a serious theft at his store.

“This is a much deserved decision for Gary, and while we are sad to see such a pillar of our company move on, we find comfort in the legacy he has left for us to build upon,” said Royal Chain founder Paul Maroof.

A successor has not officially been named to replace Mr. Austein, however the company has placed Kamran Melamed, a longtime employee and manager of the company in his place in the interim.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”