West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
Gunderson’s To Acquire JB Hudson Jewelers
The Minneapolis-based retailer will continue to serve customers under the JB Hudson name, for now.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Josiah B. Hudson founded JB Hudson Jewelers in 1885, setting up shop in Minneapolis.
The store survived a fire and a relocation, changing hands a few times before being sold to Pohlad in 2007.
Following the sale, Gunderson’s will continue to build on JB Hudson Jewelers’ legacy of “outstanding” customer service, said Ben Hawn, Pohlad Companies chief of staff, in a press release about the acquisition.
It will continue to operate as JB Hudson Jewelers “for the near future,” a spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler.
“We have admired JB Hudson for years and are very excited about the opportunity to bring Gunderson’s to the Twin Cities,” said Brian Gunderson, Gunderson’s CEO and owner, in a statement.
Gunderson’s is an independent, family-owned retailer founded in 1945 by George Gunderson. It got its start as a watch repair shop in Sioux City, Iowa.
Over time, it evolved into a full-service jeweler, becoming one of the largest independent jewelers in the Midwest and opening additional stores in Omaha, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota.
“We look forward to becoming part of the Twin Cities community and bringing our expertise and integrity to JB Hudson’s customers,” said Gunderson.
The acquisition is expected to close March 31.
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