Independents

Fox’s Seattle to Close After 112 Years

IndependentsFeb 07, 2024

Fox’s Seattle to Close After 112 Years

The Emerald City mainstay is hosting its final Leap Year Sale beginning this month.

Chai Mann and Zoey Mann
Fox’s Seattle third-generation owner Zoey Mann (right) has announced that the store will close in April after more than a century in business. She’s pictured above in a 2014 portrait with her father, second-generation owner Chai Mann.
Seattle—After 112 years in business, Fox’s Seattle will close its doors April 27 following a special sale.

Third-generation owner Zoey Mann has been the store’s president since 2013 and is closing the business to turn her time and energy to her family, which she calls “her own greatest love.”

The boutique has been a mainstay for Seattleites seeking “exquisitely crafted” jewelry as a reminder of a special moment or reflection of their individual style, the store said.

Harry Fox started the business in 1912 as Fox’s Gem Shop, a small store on Third Avenue.

It later was sold to a man named Herb Meltzer. Meltzer moved the store to The Skinner Building on Fifth Avenue and hired Mann’s maternal grandfather, Sid Thal, as store manager.

Thal bought the store in 1948 for $15,000, plus some money he borrowed from family.

The family kept the store’s name because they couldn’t afford to paint the sign on the door.


Fox’s Seattle staff in 1959
Fox’s staff photo from 1959, when the dress code called for women to wear black dresses and pearls and men to wear suits. Sid Thal is in the back right.

In 1979, the store moved again, opening in the then-newly completed Rainier Tower, where store management soon changed hands to Sid and Berta Thal’s daughter Joy and her husband, Chai Mann.

The couple helped develop the store’s reputation for its award-winning, creative window displays, which have been a Seattle holiday favorite for more than 30 years.

In 2003, the Mann’s daughter Zoey returned to the store.


Chai Mann, Zoey Mann, Berta Thal, Sid Thal, Zach Mann, and Joy Thal Mann
This photo, taken in the late 1980s, shows (left to right) Chai Mann, Zoey Mann, Berta Thal, Sid Thal, Zach Mann, and Joy Thal Mann crossing Union Street just outside the Fox’s Seattle (then Fox’s Gem Shop) location at the time, in the Rainier Tower.

In 2014, a year after Zoey was named president, Fox’s Gem Shop was renamed Fox’s Seattle. 

In 2017, the store moved to its current and final location in the Fairmount Olympic Hotel.

“Closing Fox’s Seattle has been a difficult decision, but it is the right decision,” Zoey said. 

“Fox’s Seattle has been part of my family for 75 years. The store has been a second home, and we are forever grateful to the employees, designers, and customers who have joined us on our journey.”

Over the years, the store has fostered a family-like atmosphere, it said, providing the local and regional community with a “highly curated” assortment of designers and one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Its downtown boutique was distinguished by its “high-touch, low-pressure” buying experience that focused on exceptional service and a well-considered selection.

Fox’s Seattle also has been active in its community, donating to Vashon Island arts organizations, Northwest Harvest, the Pike Place Market Foundation, Mary’s Place, Jewish Family Services, the Seattle Symphony, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, among others.

“The people have always been at the heart of Fox’s Seattle, and I will miss them most of all,” said Zoey, who had hoped to sell the business so that it could continue in its long tradition. 

“Unfortunately, the business climate has changed dramatically in recent years, and a sale has not yet proven viable. Our focus is now on winding down our operations.”

The store remains available for sale, and Zoey is open to entertaining options should they arise. 

As of now, all three of the store’s full-time associates have been offered severance packages.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Sales have been rare throughout the store’s history, making its recurring Leap Year Sale—a decades-long fixture of the business—a highly anticipated event for regular clientele. 

The store will pay tribute to its final Leap Day with “The Final Leap: A Celebration Sale,” offering discounts that will increase as the shop approaches its April closing date.


Sid Thal and Chai Mann
Employees of Fox’s Seattle have had a longstanding tradition of cutting a necktie after making a big sale. On the day this photo was taken in 1986, Sid Thal had closed a huge sale so Chai Mann grabbed the scissors and cut his tie.

“We couldn’t close our doors without one last celebration for our customers and designers,” Zoey said.

“Our Leap Year Sale will look a little different this time, as it will be our last hurrah. Of course, we’ll offer discounts similar to past sales, but the discounts should grow deeper as we approach our closing date. Because we have a number of one-of-a-kind items and we will not be placing any further orders, we encourage customers to come in early to find the pieces that speak to them.”

The sale will begin in-store only on at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, and will continue until all inventory is sold or the doors close at 5 p.m. on April 27.

The sale will start online after March 4.

Throughout the sale, Fox’s Seattle will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located at 405 University St. in Seattle, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. 

The Latest

1 Camilla Dietz Bergeron.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

The Mediterranean Blue diamond
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’s

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

Jessica McCormack Fruit Salad Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for Summer

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Stock image of diamonds
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.

Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Disability advocate Catarina Rivera, JVC ADA compliance guide, circle of hands wearing jewelry
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With Disabilities

Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

Sekou Andrews
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at Converge

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest Addition

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Pope Francis
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ Ring

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

1998 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516 Rolex
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s Sale

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

Jeweler Constance Polamalu at Bloomstone, a store that specializes in lab-grown diamonds
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

Surveillance footage Tiffany & Co. Seattle robbery
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

Jeff Corey, new chairperson of the board for the Jewelers Board of Trade
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

Foundrae Ingot Pendant
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical Metalsmiths

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Diamond Council of America
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course Updates

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

Malyia McNaughton and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education Fund

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

Harwell Godfrey Snake Giza Ring, Foundrae Mind, Body Soul Story Necklace, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Titan By Pharrell Williams Bracelet
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past Decade

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

Lightbox’s Reminiscence Poet earrings in 14-karat white gold with lab-grown diamonds
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

2025 CASE Award Submission Graphic
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Coeur Percé Scapular Necklace and Love Baby Locket
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s Day

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

Gemfields emeralds
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in Zambia

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Stock image of a man’s hands in handcuffs
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

2025 Met Gala jewelry
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry Moments

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

instappraise-1.png
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal Format

Sponsored by Instappraise

Brilliant Earth three stone Sabine diamond engagement ring
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

×

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