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

Napoleon’s diamond brooch and a pearl and diamond hair ornament
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For Auction

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.

Hill Management Group
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry Show

Hill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.

Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings stolen in the heist at the Louvre Museum
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist

One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.

DEBEERS_DAY4_DSC_1023-01_1872x1052.jpg
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond Jewelry

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

Holiday shoppers in Target
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate Jobs

The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Bonhams New Bond Street London flagship
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives Replaced

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

De Beers Diamond View Zoom machine with monitor
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument Demo

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

BTYB10.25_Header.jpg
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know Now

As the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.

Two brooches stolen in the October 2025 heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

Wyld Box Jewelry Ray of Light Large Drop Earrings
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ Earrings

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock pendant
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, Kering

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

Cullinan Diamond Mine plant
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital

The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.

Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches by Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, Tobias Kargoll
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch History

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & Watches

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

Taylor Swift engagement ring Greenwich St
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds Edition

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bracelet
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the Holidays

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

Fancy vivid purplish pink diamond
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva Auction

The nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock by Tiffany High Jewelry Lariat
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New Perch

Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.

Jewelers for Children Halloween contest
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume Challenge

Five dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.

Hillsborough show
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New Owner

Recently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.

Bicolor pink and colorless diamond
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink Diamond

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Pomellato Rodeo Drive Flagship Exterior
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive Flagship

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

Grown Brilliance NYC Flagship Exterior
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First Flagship

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

Douriean Fletcher Messenger Collection
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Sothebys the glowing rose pink diamond
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink Diamond

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.

2025_Gemfields logo.jpg
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby Mine

They were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.

×

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