Jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon, pictured with one of the two Labrador retrievers who comes to work with them, are heading into retirement. Their store, Wixon Jewelers, will close in May.
Bloomington, Minn.—Wixon Jewelers in Bloomington, Minnesota, will close its doors in May after 37 years in business.
Dan described the decision to close Wixon Jewelers as “bittersweet,” while Hope told the newspaper, “We just had to … go for it because we can always find an excuse to stay. We’ve got five important years with our kids and that’s our focus.”
With no familial connections to the jewelry business, the pair built their business from the ground up.
Today, Wixon Jewelers is known for its high-end watches, fine jewelry, and adorable dogs.
The couple brings their Labrador retrievers, Joe Dynamite and Timmy Walnuts, to work. The furry associates have become store staples and delight many of its customers.
Though the store has a fun, friendly vibe, it was hard work that turned Wixon Jewelers into a luxury destination in the Twin Cities.
In their 2021 interview for the Retailer Hall of Fame issue, Dan said a long-term goal when starting the business was to sell Rolex and Patek Philippe watches.
The jeweler exceeded that goal, stocking Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Hope and Dan Wixon
As most jewelers will attest, building a relationship with these high-end Swiss watch brands can be a blessing and a curse, as retailers have to abide by a strict set of rules.
It’s partly why Wixon Jewelers will close rather than be passed onto a new owner, the couple told the Star Tribune.
If the store were to change owners, the Swiss watch brands would leave, possibly returning when the new owner had made a name for themselves.
Losing those big brands and a major source of revenue would make the business a tough sell.
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When the pair was inducted into the Retailer Hall of Fame, several industry colleagues had warm words to share.
“I believe part of their ability to reach the level of success they have thus far is their commitment to their core values in business as well as their personal lives,” said designer Joshua Javaheri of Joshua J.
“It’s rare to find store owners like Dan and Hope who are able to balance everything they have on their plates so successfully. The Wixons have a reputation in our industry for being committed to quality in every aspect.”
Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems said, “Dan and Hope work very well together and they have grown their business by focusing on quality and people.”
