IndependentsApr 08, 2021
Joseph Corey Promoted to President at Day’s Jewelers IndependentsApr 20, 2021
Connecticut Jewelry Store To Close After 108 Years
Friedrich Jewelers owners Doug and Jacki Friedrich are ready for retirement.
Friedrich Jewelers owners Jacki (left) and Doug Friedrich are pictured here with designer Becky Penta. The store is closing as the owners head into retirement.
Vernon, Conn.—Family-owned Friedrich Jewelers is closing after 108 years.
Fourth-generation owners Doug and Jacki Friedrich are ready to close their Vernon, Connecticut store, retiring to spend time with their grandson and embark on some new travels.
Though the pandemic made for rough waters, business rebounded quickly, and the jeweler is happy to end its century-long journey on a high note.
“Since 1913, you have honored Friedrich Jewelers by including us in your celebrations of life and love,” the owners said in a press release about the closure.
“Over the last 108 years, our customers have appreciated our commitment to exceptional quality, dependability, value, and services passed down through four generations. These are the driving forces behind our business, and we believe they show through in all we do.
“Although bittersweet, the time has come for us to bring this journey to an end. We welcome our new adventure, retirement.”
The jeweler has helped generations of families celebrate life’s milestones, and that is what Doug and Jacki said they will miss the most.
Doug, a bench jeweler and designer, is descended from a long line of watchmakers and jewelers.
His great-grandfather, Gustav Friedrich, opened the family jewelry store on Ward Street in nearby Rockville, Connecticut in 1913.
In 1936, his son, Herbert, took over the business.
Herbert and his wife Ursula raised their twin sons, Robert and Herbert Jr., and daughter Dorothy in the apartment just above the store.
His sons looked to follow in their father’s footsteps, so Herbert Sr. bought the former Ronalter Jewelry Store in nearby Stafford Springs, Connecticut in 1947.
By 1950, Robert was running the store. Robert’s daughter Brenda later ran that store, though it closed in 2015.
Related stories will be right here …
Fourth-generation owners Doug and Jacki Friedrich are ready to close their Vernon, Connecticut store, retiring to spend time with their grandson and embark on some new travels.
Though the pandemic made for rough waters, business rebounded quickly, and the jeweler is happy to end its century-long journey on a high note.
“Since 1913, you have honored Friedrich Jewelers by including us in your celebrations of life and love,” the owners said in a press release about the closure.
“Over the last 108 years, our customers have appreciated our commitment to exceptional quality, dependability, value, and services passed down through four generations. These are the driving forces behind our business, and we believe they show through in all we do.
“Although bittersweet, the time has come for us to bring this journey to an end. We welcome our new adventure, retirement.”
The jeweler has helped generations of families celebrate life’s milestones, and that is what Doug and Jacki said they will miss the most.
Doug, a bench jeweler and designer, is descended from a long line of watchmakers and jewelers.
His great-grandfather, Gustav Friedrich, opened the family jewelry store on Ward Street in nearby Rockville, Connecticut in 1913.
In 1936, his son, Herbert, took over the business.
Herbert and his wife Ursula raised their twin sons, Robert and Herbert Jr., and daughter Dorothy in the apartment just above the store.
His sons looked to follow in their father’s footsteps, so Herbert Sr. bought the former Ronalter Jewelry Store in nearby Stafford Springs, Connecticut in 1947.
By 1950, Robert was running the store. Robert’s daughter Brenda later ran that store, though it closed in 2015.
Herbert’s other son, Herbert Jr., took over the Ward Street Friedrich Jewelers store in 1957. His son, Doug, joined him there in 1978.
In 1989, Doug and Jacki bought the Ward Street store, moving it to its current location in Vernon in 1993.
The husband-and-wife team have run it until present day with the help of “a small but mighty staff,” including designer Becky Penta, who joined the store at age 18 and has been there for more than 25 years.
The store’s going-out-of-business sale began Monday and will continue until everything is sold.
For more information, visit the Friedrich Jewelers website.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
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.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
