Independents

Two Indiana jewelers are ‘Open for Service’

IndependentsAug 12, 2016

Two Indiana jewelers are ‘Open for Service’

Following the passage of a controversial religious freedom law, at least two Hoosier State jewelers are among the businesses that want to make their stance on discrimination known.


The “Open for Service” sticker on the door of Robert Goodman Jewelers in Zionsville, Ind. 
Indianapolis--While lawmakers in Indiana do damage control after the passage of last week’s controversial religious freedom law, at least two jewelers are among the state’s businesses slapping an “Open for Service” sticker on their front door.

Passed by the state’s General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence Thursday, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, was designed to protect individuals or companies from being forced to doing something that conflicts with their religious beliefs, lawmakers say.

Critics allege the bill would allow business owners to discriminate against the LGBT community, to refuse service to people based on their sexual orientation.

The law caused widespread blowback across the country, with large corporations like Columbus, Ohio-based Angie’s List and San Francisco-based Salesforce.com among the first vowing to dial down business in the Hoosier State. Even the N.C.A.A., which is set to begin its men’s Final Four basketball tournament in Indianapolis this coming weekend, is expressing concern over the message the legislation sends.

Smaller businesses in Indiana also have been public about their disdain over the RFRA, so much so that they’ve propelled a simple website into a national movement.

About two weeks ago, before the RFRA even became law, a Valparaiso, Ind. native named Josh Driver put up OpenforService.org and created its $10 stickers and online badges with the idea that Indiana businesses could use them to show their support for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.

“This business serves everyone,” the sticker reads, followed by, in smaller font, “Learn more and find other companies that celebrate an open economy at OpenForService.org.”

A wide variety of businesses have embraced Open for Service, including bakeries, breweries and at least two independent jewelers, and the movement has attracted attention from business owners as far away as New York and Los Angeles, according to a story on Driver by The Indianapolis Star.

Bob Goodman, a third generation jeweler who owns and operates Robert Goodman Jewelers with his wife Rose-Marie, said he was one of the first merchants on Main Street in Zionsville, Ind. to purchase and put up his Open for Service sticker, after learning about the movement from a customer via a Facebook message.

“It fits who we are,” he said. “We are here to take care of anybody who walks in our

store … (sexual orientation) is not important. I don’t care. It has absolutely no importance, as far as we are concerned. It’s not my business. It doesn’t define the individual in any way, shape or form.”

Robert Goodman Jewelers has the Open for Service logo as its profile picture on both Twitter and Facebook, and has the actual physical sticker affixed prominently to its front door.

Goodman, who has been in the jewelry industry for 41 years, said the thought of the sticker offending potential customers never even crossed his mind. He said if they don’t like his views--if they, for example, came in and were put off when they saw him helping a same-sex couple--then so be it. He doesn’t want to help them anyway.

“This is a decision of right and wrong,” Goodman said emphatically. “This isn’t a business decision.”

In nearby Greenwood, Ind., Bob McGee, owner of McGee Jewelers and a past president of the Indiana Jewelers Association, also put up an Open for Service sticker on his store’s door. He said he heard about the movement from one of his employees, who is a member of the LGBT community.

“There was a time 40 years ago when I may have been slightly homophobic,” the 64-year-old jeweler admits.

But as he grew older and learned more about the world around him, and as many friends came out over the years, McGee changed his view.

Today, he said his store has gained a reputation among same-sex couples as the place to go for jewelry, though McGee is quick to point out that that is not the reason he put up the Open for Service sticker. “Our customer base pretty well knows us,” he said.

Like Goodman, he said he just believed it was the right thing to do. 

While politicians tend to ignore barbs from the opposing party and criticism in the media, the potential loss of business certainly is one thing that gets their attention, and quickly.

The New York Times reported Monday that lawmakers in Indiana already have said they plan to amend the law to make it clear it does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

McGee said if a change in wording is what is needed to satisfy everyone, then the legislature should do it. Whatever the outcome, however, he said he doesn’t think there’ll be any business owners in Indiana refusing to wait on or serve customers.

“A lot of the business owners feel like this is much ado about nothing,” he said. “I don’t know of a single merchant who even whispers in their sleep about turning anyone away who has money to spend. I love anybody who will spend money.”

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy