Hey folks
I've been away from the forum for several months due to the preparation and completion of my retirement from my retail jewelry store in the Bronx, NY, started by my father in 1939.
As many can imagine, this was very difficult for me to do. I've been working in the business (started as a child, as many small retailers had their children come in to do chores) but seriously part time since I was 17, moving to full time years later after my classical music career was finally put to bed.
My lease ran out, and neighborhood and business changes made the decision inevitable. I knew it was coming a year in advance, but I hoped that I could squeeze a couple of more years in the area. But, my landlord didn't respond to my requests to talk and finally the towel was thrown in.
The hardest part was saying goodbye to all of the clients who still remained in the area-I am the next to last in Norwood, Bronx to leave. Other than the bar owner across the street, we are the last of the 'old guard'.
TV, newspapers, several times came in and interviewed us, and clients were filmed, some actually getting very emotional.
Sad.
As a working repair jeweler, I had tons of equipment in our very modern store. And that disposal is and was another very trying thing to accomplish.
On the good side, all of the magnificent fixtures and almost all of my equipment are being donated to the only watchmaking school in the United States, recently formed, named Veteran's Watchmakers Initiative for disabled veterans. The school is located in Delaware and my jewelry group has been contributing for several years now.
Despite the sadness, knowing that all of my tools and displays, fixtures etc are going to such a worthy cause makes my wife and I feel wonderful.
So, looks like I'll have more time to argue on the forum. LOL
Thanks for listening.
I've been away from the forum for several months due to the preparation and completion of my retirement from my retail jewelry store in the Bronx, NY, started by my father in 1939.
As many can imagine, this was very difficult for me to do. I've been working in the business (started as a child, as many small retailers had their children come in to do chores) but seriously part time since I was 17, moving to full time years later after my classical music career was finally put to bed.
My lease ran out, and neighborhood and business changes made the decision inevitable. I knew it was coming a year in advance, but I hoped that I could squeeze a couple of more years in the area. But, my landlord didn't respond to my requests to talk and finally the towel was thrown in.
The hardest part was saying goodbye to all of the clients who still remained in the area-I am the next to last in Norwood, Bronx to leave. Other than the bar owner across the street, we are the last of the 'old guard'.
TV, newspapers, several times came in and interviewed us, and clients were filmed, some actually getting very emotional.
Sad.
As a working repair jeweler, I had tons of equipment in our very modern store. And that disposal is and was another very trying thing to accomplish.
On the good side, all of the magnificent fixtures and almost all of my equipment are being donated to the only watchmaking school in the United States, recently formed, named Veteran's Watchmakers Initiative for disabled veterans. The school is located in Delaware and my jewelry group has been contributing for several years now.
Despite the sadness, knowing that all of my tools and displays, fixtures etc are going to such a worthy cause makes my wife and I feel wonderful.
So, looks like I'll have more time to argue on the forum. LOL
Thanks for listening.
:
