Here Are the 2022 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees
This year’s honorees include a pair of retailers known for supporting designers, sisters carrying on the family legacy, and two owners who’ve guided their store through change.
This year, National Jeweler is honoring one single-store independent jeweler and two multi-store independents.
Those being inducted into the hall this year are as follows.
Single-Store Independent
Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale of Greenwich St. Jewelers
Multi-Store Independent
Paul Schneider and Lauren Eulau of Twist
Multi-Store Independent
Harvey and Maddy Rovinsky of Bernie Robbins Jewelers
As the current co-owners of Greenwich St. Jewelers in New York City, Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale have drawn on their unique experiences and talents to grow the store their parents opened in 1976 into a prominent destination for innovative designers and clients looking for exciting and distinctive jewels.
Jennifer’s background in luxury fashion and cosmetics has helped her infuse the family business with marketing expertise, while Christina has used her degrees and experience in business management and gemology to grow and expand the retailer, managing its sales and operations.
Their combined strengths have led the retailer to new heights, including a new chapter in the family legacy with the relocation of the store to a much larger space in TriBeCa, a neighborhood just north of the original Greenwich St. Jewelers store.
The retailer has received numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Excellence in Retail Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association.
Both sisters are also dedicated to giving back to their communities—Christina sits on the board of directors of Diamonds Do Good, and Jennifer is on the advisory board of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, the Couture Diversity Action Council, and New York City Jewelry Week.
They also emphasize giving back to the industry, responsible sourcing, supporting mentorship and philanthropic causes, and supporting diversity and inclusion in fine jewelry.
Paul Schneider and Lauren Eulau of Twist took a less conventional route into the jewelry industry.
Both craftspeople in Eugene, Oregon in the mid-1970s, their first business was a co-op of artists selling their own work.
Their business has evolved over the decades, becoming a well-known spot for designer jewelry that now represents more than 100 designers and has stores in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle as well as a strong e-commerce business at TwistOnline.com.
In 2018, Schneider was honored with the Cindy Edelstein Award at Couture, given to an individual who is a true leader in the industry and is dedicated to the success of designers and brands.
Twist also won the Gem Award for Retail Excellence in 2020.
Founded in 1962 by Bernie and Lorraine Rosenberg, the retailer began as an appliance store in downtown Philadelphia.
Harvey joined his future parents-in-law at the store in 1966 when he was only 19, learning important skills from Bernie like the importance of building credibility, trust, and relationships with customers.
He eventually married the Rosenberg’s daughter, Maddy, and helped his father-in-law guide the company as it went through a series of incarnations.
The retailer has been under Harvey’s leadership since 1992 and together with Maddy, they have built it into a leading luxury jeweler.
Bernie Robbins now has five locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The jeweler is actively involved in its local communities and has formed strong partnerships with many philanthropic organizations, including The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Albert Einstein Medical Center, AtlantiCare and The Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, of which Rovinsky sits on the executive board.
The retailer also has received several awards, including being voted Best of the Shore, Best of Philly, and Best of the Main Line.
The Latest
The report shows that couples are searching for vintage and antique rings, gold jewelry, pearls, and colorful pieces.
The redesigned boutique features interactive displays and a workshop space for hands-on learning about watchmaking.
There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.
Helen McCluskey will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June.
“Chopard x Julia Roberts” showcases the first gems cut from the 6,000-carat-plus “Insofu Emerald."