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
EditorsDec 23, 2024
My Favorite Piece of the Week Jewels of 2024Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
GradingDec 23, 2024
GIA Adds Filler Identification to Emerald ReportsLab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
