MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
IndependentsAug 10, 2016
In era of consolidation, one retailer goes bigger
When it relocates to a new space later this month, California retailer Traditional Jewelers will more than double in size, allowing it to better showcase its brands and placing it in a busier section of the same shopping center.
Newport Beach, Calif.--When it relocates to a new space later this month, California retailer Traditional Jewelers will more than double in size, allowing it to better showcase its brands and placing it in a busier section of the same shopping center.
Currently, Traditional Jewelers occupies a 4,500-square-foot space in a strip of Orange County’s Fashion Island shopping center that has become less busy over time. Michael Pollak, CEO of Traditional parent company Hyde Park Jewelers, said they are relocating to a 10,000-square-foot space in a more central and busier section of the center, near both Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.
The jeweler’s decision to move into a larger retail space comes at a time when many retailers, both in jewelry as well as in fashion, are not in expansion mode. Two of the country’s largest chain jewelers, Sterling Jewelers, owner of Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, and Zale Corp. are merging and undoubtedly will shutter some stores.
RELATED CONTENT: Zale shareholders approve merger with Signet
Accessories retailer Coach announced last week that it was closing 70 full-line stores in North America while also opening more outlet stores and combining others. Clothing retailer Juicy Couture, known for its rhinestone-centric loungewear, is closing all of its existing U.S. stores and replacing them with only a few new concept stores in key markets here.
RELATED CONTENT: Coach to focus on retail outlet division
Pollak said the decision to open a bigger store was made in part because watch brands today are looking for increased visibility, which they will have in this new space. The larger Traditional Jewelers includes four shop-in-shops, all for watches: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Officine Panerai.
In addition to the shop-in-shops, the new store will carry jewelry from the Fred Leighton estate collection. He said it is the first store in Orange County selected to carry the line, and it marks the retailer’s foray into period and estate jewelry.
“Retailers have to be known first and foremost as our own brand. And I support that notion,” Pollak said when asked about the importance of brands in retail today. “But, at the end of the day, the consumer is comfortable with and trusts certain luxury brands. It is very validating to the consumer when you showcase the top brands because then they have confidence in patronizing you as a retailer.”
While acknowledging the weight
of brands, Pollak also said it’s important for retailers not to give up their own identity, their own “DNA in terms of the store brand,” for the lines they carry. At the new Traditional Jewelers, the shop-in-shops are placed around the perimeter of the store so they first brand experience shoppers have is that of Traditional Jewelers, he said.
The store will hold a soft open in its new space July 11, with the official grand opening scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6.
A man with experience with a very well-known brand has been hired to manage the new Traditional Jewelers. Bill Peters joins the retailer from the Louis Vuitton located in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. where he spent the last 14 years in various roles, including store director and director of client relations. Pollak said Peters has a keen understanding of both the clientele and charities in the area.
The late Marion Halfacre and his wife Lula opened their first jewelry store in Jackson, Miss. in 1975. Four years later, they sold their interest in that business and moved to California, opening Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach. Marion Halfacre died in 2007 and the business was sold to Hyde Park Jewelers in 2012.
Hyde Park Jewelers has its flagship store in Denver, where the company is based, as well as a Hyde Park Jewelers store in Phoenix, Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, Calif., an Omega boutique in Denver and a Rolex boutique in Las Vegas.
Pollak said they are adding two more boutiques, one for Roberto Coin and one for watch brand Breitling, to their portfolio this fall.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
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.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
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.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
