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IndependentsAug 10, 2016
Pa. jewelry store closing after 110 years
After more than a century in the industry, Vogt’s Jewelers is going out of business as its owners retire, selling off the inventory and equipment in the store.
Allentown, Pa.--After more than a century in the industry, Vogt’s Jewelers is going out of business as its owners retire, selling off the inventory and equipment in the store.
The company, which first announced that it was closing its doors this past fall, held a going-out-of-business sale to get rid of inventory, and is currently selling off wood cases, tools for jewelers and watchmakers, findings, a jewelers bench, displays, and other equipment until everything is gone.
Charles Vogt Sr. started the store in 1903 in Allentown. Several years later, he joined the army and fought in World War I, returned home and moved the business to its second location.
Vogt’s has been at its current location on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township, Pa. for about 25 years.
It’s now a third-generation jewelry store run by Barry and Penny Vogt. Their daughter, Trell Vogt-Dikeman, has been involved in the business for more than 20 years, handling the marketing and advertising as well as jewelry design.
“If we could run it on a part-time basis and not have to worry about it, we’d continue indefinitely,” owner Barry Vogt told The Morning Call earlier this year. “But it wasn’t to be. Our daughter wants more time with her kids. It’s a tremendous responsibility running a family-owned business.”
He said that he and his wife will use their time to do some traveling once the store is closed. Vogt-Dikeman said she plans to continue doing custom jewelry design.
The Morning Call also reported that the Vogt’s Jewelers website, which has since been taken down, reported customers in more than 22 states, the vast majority of which came to the store based on recommendations rather than advertisements.
In 2002 the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association named Vogt’s as the Outstanding Jeweler of the Year. The store was also a seven-time winner of a “Best of the Valley” award from Lehigh Valley Magazine.
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