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97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To Close
Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico is set to close after nearly 100 years in business. (Image courtesy of Butterfield Jewelers’ Facebook page)
Albuquerque, N.M.—Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is closing after 97 years in business.
The company was founded in 1928 by Ernest Bernard Butterfield Sr. in Pana, Illinois. He had managed jewelry stores in Indiana and Illinois prior to opening his own store, according to the jeweler.
In 1945, he moved his family to Albuquerque and opened a jewelry store across from the University of New Mexico.
His son, Ernest Bernard “Bernie” Butterfield Jr., joined the family business after graduating from high school.
Bernie had studied watchmaking at Precision Instrument Laboratory in Los Angeles and at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
When his father died in 1954, Bernie took over the business, running the store until his retirement in 2018.
He served as president, treasurer, and a board member of the New Mexico Jewelers Association, and was active in Jewelers of America, according to his online obituary.
In 1975, the store relocated to a shopping center, which Bernie acquired and renamed “Butterfield Plaza” to celebrate the jeweler’s 65 years in business.
His wife, Anne, alongside his son Mike, daughter Theresa, and son-in-law Bill later joined the business, working alongside three master goldsmiths and three master watchmakers.
Bernie died in May 2021 at age 92, while Anne died in December 2024 at age 95.
Mike Butterfield, Bernie’s son and grandson of the store’s founder, ran Butterfield Jewelers for several years.
His sister, Theresa Butterfield, and her husband, Bill, have run the store since 2020.
The Butterfield family announced their plan to retire on the jeweler’s social media channels. The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale.
“The news is bittersweet because we’ve built lasting friendships with a lot of customers over the years,” Mike said.
“I’m sure this will be an emotional time for everyone.”
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The company was founded in 1928 by Ernest Bernard Butterfield Sr. in Pana, Illinois. He had managed jewelry stores in Indiana and Illinois prior to opening his own store, according to the jeweler.
In 1945, he moved his family to Albuquerque and opened a jewelry store across from the University of New Mexico.
His son, Ernest Bernard “Bernie” Butterfield Jr., joined the family business after graduating from high school.
Bernie had studied watchmaking at Precision Instrument Laboratory in Los Angeles and at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
When his father died in 1954, Bernie took over the business, running the store until his retirement in 2018.
He served as president, treasurer, and a board member of the New Mexico Jewelers Association, and was active in Jewelers of America, according to his online obituary.
In 1975, the store relocated to a shopping center, which Bernie acquired and renamed “Butterfield Plaza” to celebrate the jeweler’s 65 years in business.
His wife, Anne, alongside his son Mike, daughter Theresa, and son-in-law Bill later joined the business, working alongside three master goldsmiths and three master watchmakers.
Bernie died in May 2021 at age 92, while Anne died in December 2024 at age 95.
Mike Butterfield, Bernie’s son and grandson of the store’s founder, ran Butterfield Jewelers for several years.
His sister, Theresa Butterfield, and her husband, Bill, have run the store since 2020.
The Butterfield family announced their plan to retire on the jeweler’s social media channels. The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale.
“The news is bittersweet because we’ve built lasting friendships with a lot of customers over the years,” Mike said.
“I’m sure this will be an emotional time for everyone.”
The jeweler highlighted its history of community service.
In 2025, Butterfield Jewelers received the Golden Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau serving New Mexico and Southwest Colorado.
“Our father believed in running a successful business but also serving the community in other ways,” said Mike. “He really took that to heart in everything he did.”
Theresa also established the Butterfield Endowed Music Scholarship at the University of New Mexico’s Department of Music in honor of her late father, who was fond of classical and jazz music.
It supports students studying music education.
“Our grandfather started this business with a belief in treating people right,” Mike said.
“Generations of customers helped us keep that belief alive. Our family is grateful for the strong support we’ve received from the community for so long.”
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