Events & Awards

Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees

Events & AwardsJun 06, 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

Harwell Godfrey Granny Square Eleanor Necklace
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Jack Abraham The Royal Ruby Collection
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las Vegas

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

Vaishali Banerjee and Pallavi Sharma
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership Team

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Meredith Tiderington
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship Recipient

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

Exterior of the Venetian and the Las Vegas Sphere
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 Sessions

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

JCK show
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Amy Curran
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The eight rings in Viviana Langhoff’s AU79 jewelry collection
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into Gold

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

Gold and diamond bangles on a pair of jeans
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

Woman’s hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

Dakota Johnson as Roberto Coin Brand Ambassador
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand Ambassador

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

Mason Kay Jade necklace
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade Reports

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Gemfields ruby
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat Ruby

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

×

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