IndependentsSep 26, 2022
Roberson’s Fine Jewelry to Close After 42 YearsIndependentsOct 06, 2022
After 103 Years in Business, This Illinois Independent Is Closing
The owner of Sandberg Jewelers in Skokie, which has been in operation since 1919, is retiring.
Sandberg Jewelers in Skokie, Illinois, is closing after more than 100 years in operation. Third-generation owner Susan Sandberg said the pandemic was the catalyst for her decision to shutter her family’s store and retire.
Skokie, Ill.—A Chicagoland jewelry store that first opened its doors in 1919 will be closed by the end of the year.
Sandberg Jewelers owner Susan Sandberg announced via Facebook earlier this week that she is retiring and closing the store her grandfather and great-uncle founded 103 years ago.
Susan told National Jeweler that COVID-19 acted as the catalyst for a decision she described as “bittersweet.”
“My business was going at a good speed before COVID, before we had to shut down. And that really changed the whole landscape for us,” she said. “We never bounced back from that.”
The pandemic caused them to lose customers and sales, since people were going out less and, as a result, needing less jewelry.
Susan also noted that hiring became difficult following the pandemic, with the store still short-staffed nearly three years after COVID caused shutdowns nationwide.
“I’ve worked harder in the last three years than I have in my whole career,” she said. “I’m tired.”
The difficulties brought about by the pandemic, coupled with changes in the jewelry industry—vendors selling directly to customers, rising insurance costs and crime, the growing prevalence of lab-grown diamonds, and the specter of another recession—have diminished the pleasure Susan once derived from the business.
It all has her feeling like she is “working harder for less.”
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I’m disappointed, but my fourth generation isn’t ready, willing, and able to carry on.”
“At the same time, I am very proud I was able to carry it through the third generation. And you know I’m going to have to retire at one point. All signs are pointing to now.”
Related stories will be right here …
Sandberg Jewelers owner Susan Sandberg announced via Facebook earlier this week that she is retiring and closing the store her grandfather and great-uncle founded 103 years ago.
Susan told National Jeweler that COVID-19 acted as the catalyst for a decision she described as “bittersweet.”
“My business was going at a good speed before COVID, before we had to shut down. And that really changed the whole landscape for us,” she said. “We never bounced back from that.”
The pandemic caused them to lose customers and sales, since people were going out less and, as a result, needing less jewelry.
Susan also noted that hiring became difficult following the pandemic, with the store still short-staffed nearly three years after COVID caused shutdowns nationwide.
“I’ve worked harder in the last three years than I have in my whole career,” she said. “I’m tired.”
The difficulties brought about by the pandemic, coupled with changes in the jewelry industry—vendors selling directly to customers, rising insurance costs and crime, the growing prevalence of lab-grown diamonds, and the specter of another recession—have diminished the pleasure Susan once derived from the business.
It all has her feeling like she is “working harder for less.”
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I’m disappointed, but my fourth generation isn’t ready, willing, and able to carry on.”
“At the same time, I am very proud I was able to carry it through the third generation. And you know I’m going to have to retire at one point. All signs are pointing to now.”
Philip Sandberg Sr. (Susan’s grandfather) and his brother, Frank Sandberg, first opened Sandberg Jewelers on Chicago’s Milwaukee Avenue.
The business relocated to the city’s Irving Park neighborhood in the 1950s.
Susan and her sister, Karen Sandberg, moved the store one final time, to its current location in the Village Crossing Shopping Center in Skokie, Illinois.
Sandberg Jewelers started its going-out-of-business sale with a special preview for VIPs this week and will open it up to the general public Friday, with merchandise marked down as much as 70 percent.
It will continue until the store runs out of merchandise or on Christmas Eve, “whichever comes sooner,” Susan said.
In retirement, she said she plans to continue to “dabble” in jewelry—she is keeping her bench and her laser welder—and volunteer with Safe Families for Children, which works to help at-risk children.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
