MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsJul 11, 2019
Maine Retailer Enid Corey Dies at 93
A mother of seven, she opened Robert’s Jewelry with husband Robert Corey in 1955 and later ventured out on her own with a card and gift shop.
Madawaska, Maine—Enid Corey, who grew up in the retail business and opened a jewelry store and then a card shop, died July 3 following a brief illness.
She was 93.
Born Enid Sleeper on July 29, 1925 in Caribou, Maine, she was the daughter of Alma and Joseph Sleeper Sr., who owned Sleeper’s, the general store he opened in 1914 after emigrating from Lebanon to the United States. (Sleeper’s is still in operation today.)
She was 93.
Born Enid Sleeper on July 29, 1925 in Caribou, Maine, she was the daughter of Alma and Joseph Sleeper Sr., who owned Sleeper’s, the general store he opened in 1914 after emigrating from Lebanon to the United States. (Sleeper’s is still in operation today.)
Enid Corey
Corey spent her early years working side-by-side with her father at the store, which instilled within her a love for business that she never lost.
On Aug. 20, 1951, she married Robert Corey, whom she met while he was managing the Day’s Jewelers store in Caribou.
Three years later, with two children in tow and one more on the way, they moved north to Madawaska, Maine to pursue their dream of opening their own store.
Together, the Coreys established and built a successful business in Robert’s Jewelry, with their children—a brood that eventually numbered seven—working alongside them. Enid Corey was devoted to raising children with a strong work ethic and family values, and to setting her kids “on the right path.”
In 1978, she embarked on her own business venture, opening a card and gift store called Hi, Ma’s but some of her children remained in the jewelry business.
Son Robert runs Robert’s Jewelry in Madawaska, while son Jeff and daughter-in-law Kathy and son Jim own Day’s Jewelers, which they bought from the original owners in 1988.
Outside of work, Corey liked cooking and baking, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alma (Meelan) Sleeper; two sisters, one brother, and a grandson; and her husband of 67 years, Robert Corey, who died in February 2018 at the age of 90.
Corey is survived by her seven children: Jeffery (Kathy) of Winslow, Maine; Jolene (James) Cleland of Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada; Jean (David) Foster of Johns Island, South Carolina; Jayne Johnston (Randy Morrison, partner) of Bangor, Maine; Robert (Sylvie) Corey of Madawaska; James (Amy) Corey of Topsham, Maine; and Anne (Douglas) Cyr of Madawaska; two brothers and two sisters; and 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services took place Monday at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Madawaska, St. Joseph’s Church in Sinclair, Maine, or Northern Light Hospice.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
