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New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years
Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
Owners Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, have decided to close their 111-year-old business.
Vestal, N.Y.—Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is closing its doors after 111 years.
Owners Bill and Birdie Levine have decided to close their business after “recent life-changing events” led the couple to re-evaluate their priorities and shift their focus to personal matters, said the jeweler in a press release.
The jeweler was founded around 1914 by Rubine “Ruby” Levine in Binghamton, New York.
He had immigrated to New York City in 1905 and had worked in a jewelry factory until World War I broke out.
When he returned home, having been honorably discharged from the Army, he went upstate to Binghamton, New York, and established the Ruby Jewelry Co.
“His success resulted from his integrity and humanity as he diligently went door to door selling anything from wedding rings and religious items to eyeglasses,” said the jeweler’s website.
He was fluent in eight languages and catered to fellow immigrants that worked at The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company.
His son, Herbert, joined the family business in 1950.
In 1969, Herbert bought an established jeweler, Van Cott Jewelers of Binghamton, from Kenneth Van Cott, a gemologist and would-be president of the American Gemological Society.
Herbert would also become president of the American Gem Society and serve with Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
In 1979, third-generation jewelers Bill and Birdie entered the family business, where they have worked for the last 46 years.
“My grandfather Ruby always taught us that it was better to make friends than customers,” said Bill. “My dad, Herbert, believed that everyone should leave our store with a smile.”
“Birdie and I want to thank all our smiling friends, literally thousands and thousands over the past 46 years, who have made our dreams come true.”
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Owners Bill and Birdie Levine have decided to close their business after “recent life-changing events” led the couple to re-evaluate their priorities and shift their focus to personal matters, said the jeweler in a press release.
The jeweler was founded around 1914 by Rubine “Ruby” Levine in Binghamton, New York.
He had immigrated to New York City in 1905 and had worked in a jewelry factory until World War I broke out.
When he returned home, having been honorably discharged from the Army, he went upstate to Binghamton, New York, and established the Ruby Jewelry Co.
“His success resulted from his integrity and humanity as he diligently went door to door selling anything from wedding rings and religious items to eyeglasses,” said the jeweler’s website.
He was fluent in eight languages and catered to fellow immigrants that worked at The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company.
His son, Herbert, joined the family business in 1950.
In 1969, Herbert bought an established jeweler, Van Cott Jewelers of Binghamton, from Kenneth Van Cott, a gemologist and would-be president of the American Gemological Society.
Herbert would also become president of the American Gem Society and serve with Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
In 1979, third-generation jewelers Bill and Birdie entered the family business, where they have worked for the last 46 years.
“My grandfather Ruby always taught us that it was better to make friends than customers,” said Bill. “My dad, Herbert, believed that everyone should leave our store with a smile.”
“Birdie and I want to thank all our smiling friends, literally thousands and thousands over the past 46 years, who have made our dreams come true.”
Bill and Birdie grew the store to three locations with a total of more than 50 employees. It currently operates one location at the Town Square Mall in Vestal, New York.
“The driving force of Van Cott Jewelers is Birdie. Her passion for helping people, her expertise in buying rare gemstones and diamonds, then creating unique designs has made her one of the leading jewelry professionals in the Northeast,” said the jeweler.
The store is currently hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
Serving the families in the community has been the greatest honor of their lives, said the jeweler.
“Thank you for your loyalty, your friendship, and for allowing us to grow alongside you through the years,” said the jeweler.
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