CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
IndependentsAug 29, 2018
2 Notable Independent Retailers Shuttering
Monahan & Co. has served Massachusetts for more than 200 years, while The Green Bull Fine Jewellery Couture is a beloved fixture in Texas Hill Country.
The Green Bull, located in Texas Hill Country, is one of two notable independent fine jewelry retailers in the midst of closing.
New York—Two notable jewelry retailers, one in Massachusetts and the other in Texas, are closing.
Monahan & Co. opened in Worcester, Massachusetts on Oct. 10, 1815 after goldsmith Jeremiah O’Neill Patrick Monahan immigrated to the area from Dublin, Ireland.
Five generations later, current owner Michael Monahan, Jeremiah’s great- great-grandson (who was, coincidentally, born on Oct. 10), said the store is “undisputedly the oldest family-owned and -operated jewelry store in America.”
Monahan & Co. has received much recognition over its 200-plus years in business, earning letters and visits from politicians like John F. Kennedy Jr. and athletes like Muhammad Ali. Monahan said that at one point, a sitting governor of Massachusetts issued a proclamation that, statewide, Oct. 10 is Monahan Day.
The store is famed for its Cape Cod gold ball bracelet and Monahan said it was Jeremiah Monahan who introduced the famous Irish Claddagh ring, depicting a heart, two hands and a crown, to the United States in the 19th century.
The store moved from Worcester to Harwich, Massachusetts in the 1970s, right on Route 28, Cape Cod’s main drag.
Monahan said his “unique and historical store violates every single rule of displaying jewelry.”
Rather than displaying a few items in a case and letting product “breathe” as is suggested, Monahan will stock 300 to 400 pieces per display while a silver jewelry case “might have 1,000 pieces inside.”
Monahan’s Cape Cod customers love the treasure hunt of digging through the store’s many items.
Those not interested in jewelry enjoy looking around the historic building, which has antique cars parked outside and pictures of the store’s famous patrons on the walls. 
He explained that the digital era has made operating a brick-and-mortar independent more difficult than ever.
“Fifteen-hundred packages a week are coming into Harwich Port,” he noted, and many of them from companies like Amazon. “The internet has really hurt the mom-and-pop stores. You can see the handwriting on the wall.”
Still, he sees the necessity of selling online. His daughter, who also resides in Florida, plans to operate an online version of the store beginning in October at MonahanJewelers.com and at TheCapeCodBracelet.com.
For now, Monahan is
operating a “Store Closing Forever” sale, without the help of any liquidators. Sept. 30 will be the store’s last day.
In Boerne, Texas, about 30 miles outside of San Antonio in Texas Hill Country, the Gowen family has owned and operated The Green Bull Fine Jewellery Couture for 21 years.
Located at 325 South Main St. in a circa 1898 livery stable the Gowens renovated, the store is a local mecca for jewelry from designers like Sethi Couture, Gabriel & Co. and Meira T, as well as owner Jerry Gowen’s own designs.
Gowen has been dedicated to a career in design since creating a tie tack for his father when he was 6 years old.
He went on to earn a degree in theology while also studying painting and sculpture. He studied jewelry technology at the Texas Jewelry Institute and was winner of the Texas State Design competition in 1997, the same year he and his family opened The Green Bull.
The store was known for its warm, friendly attitude, garnering several awards over the years. It was voted “Best Jeweler” in Kendall County for 20 years in a row and included in the Fodor’s Travel Guide “Favorite Shopping” list. InStore magazine designated The Green Bull as one of “America’s Coolest Stores” in 2009.
“We are so grateful for the accolades,” Gowen said in a press release, “but unfortunately our sales have dropped dramatically over the past three years. The jewelry that we manufacture here, the custom design and repairs have kept us busy. However, our other jewelry sales of beautiful fine jewelry and engagement rings have almost disappeared.
“This is an incredibly sad time for me, my wife Kathryn our daughter Emma, our son Sandis, and our staff. I have the same passion for this store today as I did on the day we opened it. But difficult times call for difficult decisions, and this was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make … our only choice is to close our doors in Boerne forever.”
The Green Bull is in the midst of a going-out-of-business liquidation sale, in which the store’s multimillion-dollar inventory of diamonds, gemstone jewelry and timepieces are being offered for up to 60 percent off retail.
The Gowens also will sell the historic livery stable that houses The Green Bull.
For further information on the sale, contact the store at 830-249-7393.
In Boerne, Texas, about 30 miles outside of San Antonio in Texas Hill Country, the Gowen family has owned and operated The Green Bull Fine Jewellery Couture for 21 years.
Located at 325 South Main St. in a circa 1898 livery stable the Gowens renovated, the store is a local mecca for jewelry from designers like Sethi Couture, Gabriel & Co. and Meira T, as well as owner Jerry Gowen’s own designs.
Gowen has been dedicated to a career in design since creating a tie tack for his father when he was 6 years old.
He went on to earn a degree in theology while also studying painting and sculpture. He studied jewelry technology at the Texas Jewelry Institute and was winner of the Texas State Design competition in 1997, the same year he and his family opened The Green Bull.
The store was known for its warm, friendly attitude, garnering several awards over the years. It was voted “Best Jeweler” in Kendall County for 20 years in a row and included in the Fodor’s Travel Guide “Favorite Shopping” list. InStore magazine designated The Green Bull as one of “America’s Coolest Stores” in 2009.
“We are so grateful for the accolades,” Gowen said in a press release, “but unfortunately our sales have dropped dramatically over the past three years. The jewelry that we manufacture here, the custom design and repairs have kept us busy. However, our other jewelry sales of beautiful fine jewelry and engagement rings have almost disappeared.
“This is an incredibly sad time for me, my wife Kathryn our daughter Emma, our son Sandis, and our staff. I have the same passion for this store today as I did on the day we opened it. But difficult times call for difficult decisions, and this was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make … our only choice is to close our doors in Boerne forever.”
The Green Bull is in the midst of a going-out-of-business liquidation sale, in which the store’s multimillion-dollar inventory of diamonds, gemstone jewelry and timepieces are being offered for up to 60 percent off retail.
The Gowens also will sell the historic livery stable that houses The Green Bull.
For further information on the sale, contact the store at 830-249-7393.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
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.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark 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 QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
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.
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.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
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.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
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.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
