Independents

Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees

IndependentsJun 09, 2025

Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees

This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.

2025 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductees
The National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame Class of 2025, from left to right: Tom Dixon of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Kathy Corey of Day’s Jewelers, and Jeffrey Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers.
New York—National Jeweler has selected this year’s inductees for the Retailer Hall of Fame, the annual honor given to jewelers who’ve made significant contributions to their communities and the industry.

They are as follows. 

Single-Store Independent
Tom Dixon of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Multi-Store Independent
Kathy Corey of Day’s Jewelers

Multi-Store Independent
Jeffrey Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers

Tom Dixon is president at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The family-owned and operated jewelry and gift store opened in 1899 and was purchased by Dixon’s father in the ‘80s.

Around that time, Dixon graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a degree in business administration. 

After a stint in Chicago to gain buying experience, he returned to Milwaukee to take over as president in 1989. 

Over the course of the next three decades, he turned the small shop into a major Midwest watch and jewelry retailer.

In 2000, he purchased a larger building that has been home to Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers ever since. 

In 2021, Dixon decided to add a second floor as a lounge area for customers to design custom pieces or sip cocktails while perusing the products—a new-to-Milwaukee offering designed to leave clients with an unforgettable retail experience.

Though his son, Charlie Dixon, is taking on the role of president, Tom is still actively involved in Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers.

Kathy Corey serves on the board of Day’s Jewelers, the Waterville, Maine based retail chain that she and her husband, Jeff Corey, owned and operated for decades before transferring ownership of the business to their employees in 2021.

The company, founded in Portland, Maine, in 1914 by the Davidson family, has been family-owned and operated for more than 110 years.

The Corey family purchased the jeweler in 1988 and began to rebuild the company, eventually expanding the business to eight locations across New England (with another coming soon).

Kathy received the Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence in the “Retail, Fewer Than 15 Stores” category in 2009, and is the current president of Diamonds Do Good.

A former nurse, Kathy also is active in her community, serving as a board member for several organizations in Maine. In 2018, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce awarded her the Distinguished Community Service Award.

Jeffrey Zimmer is president and CEO of Reeds Jewelers

The family-owned company was founded in 1912 in Niagara Falls, New York.  

Today, the Zimmer family operates five stores, four along the thruway between Buffalo, New York, and Syracuse, New York, and one in Duxbury, Massachusetts.  

The retailer specializes in curated gemstones and diamonds, prestige brands, and luxury timepieces.   

Zimmer joined his family business after graduating from Northeastern University in Boston and completing an in-resident program at the Gemological Institute of America. He has been active in developing relationships with Reeds’ suppliers and the clients in the communities the retailer serves. 

He volunteers both his time and resources with numerous charitable initiatives and academic institutions in the Western New York area.  

Zimmer is proud to have followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Samuel and his father Arnold, and is elated that his daughter Rachel has chosen the same path. 

“From the Midwest to upstate New York to New England, each of this year’s three inductees has a unique perspective on jewelry retailing. They’ve learned how to evolve to meet their customers’ needs, and in doing so, have allowed longstanding family businesses to survive for another generation,” National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff said. 

“We look forward to sharing their stories in the Retailer Hall of Fame issue, which will be out this fall.”  

The Latest

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

NY Now
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in August

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Guinness
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGov

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

Gina Ferranti
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

×

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