Minnesota’s Jay F. Jeweler to Close After 35 Years
The store was a pioneer in the jewelry industry’s shift to CAD/CAM technologies.
Owner Jay Feichtinger is retiring and looking forward to his next chapter – spending more time with his family and five grandchildren, preparing to welcome a sixth in August.
For 35 years, the Minnesota jeweler offered its customers fine jewelry and custom designs.
The store prides itself on being one of the first in the Twin Cities, starting in 2007, to use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.
“What really kept me so engaged in the business and what benefitted my business so much was the advance in the technologies in the shop,” said Feichtinger. “We embraced it very early.”
Since then, those technologies have been refined and kept up to date within the store, he said.
Feichtinger’s love of the business began in 1977 with a part-time job at a local jewelry store.
He took some time off after graduating college, but, ultimately, his passion for jewelry led him back to the industry.
He briefly worked wholesale in his basement and opened his own business in 1988, initially as a repair shop.
Over the last three decades, Jay F. Jeweler grew to be a leading retail manufacturer with a staff of trained, professional jewelers.
The store is hosting a “Store Closing” sale, which began April 10 and will likely go on through the end of May as the store completes all remaining custom work, said Feichtinger.
The store’s entire selection will be marked up to 70 percent off.
The sale also will serve as a celebration of Jay F. Jeweler’s legacy. The custom-designed and redesigned pieces created at Jay F. Jeweler have attracted and wowed customers from everywhere, said the company.
The store said it has defined itself through its “unparalleled” customer service, standing by the pillars of honesty, transparency, and loyalty to cultivate a devoted customer base.
“The last 35 years of operating my store and growing with the Apple Valley and surrounding communities has truly been a joy and a labor of love. We’ve been honored to receive support from our amazing customers. Plus, I’ve been blessed with employees who are simply the best. Each offered honest hard work, creating memorable items and serving our customers,” Feichtinger said.
“That’s the part I’m going to miss the most, the customers.”
The Latest
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.