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Colorado Jeweler Linda Snyder Counts Her Blessings | October 22, 2014 (0 comments)
Longmont, CO—In the foothills of the Rockies, three generations of Snyder Jewelers have served their communities. Recently, Linda Snyder shared her story of how Snyder Jewelers has survived and thrived through the years since 1948.
"Snyder Jewelers was founded by my grandparents and my father. My grandfather, Hobart Snyder, was a disabled veteran educated on the GI bill after World War I. He became a watch repairman and began working on Main Street in Longmont in 1920. My father John became a watchmaker and Master Jeweler after he served in the Army as a paratrooper. Their store was on Main Street in downtown Longmont. I came home from California to help with my dad's retirement sale [in the 1980s] and ended up taking over the business and moving to a new location."
Snyder's father passed away during that time after a long illness, and the new location of Snyder Jewelers opened three days before Thanksgiving of 1988.
Jeweler Linda Snyder at her desk.
The store thrived in its new location from until spring of 2001. "Just when I decided it was time for growth, the perfect location opened up and I grabbed it," said Snyder. "We started the build-out in the spring, and were in the middle of our move when 9/11 occurred. It was a scary time for our nation. We were all sad, depressed, and so uncertain about what the future would hold. We all thought this couldn't possibly be happening.
"But what I thought could not have been worst timing, actually turned out OK. I was afraid that people might feel buying jewelry was no longer important. Instead they realized that it was very important; it was a tangible symbol of love. People became more aware of the importance of building memories and cherishing those we love. We were lucky, very blessed really; I feel like our move could have gone either way."
The move itself put Snyder Jewelers in a more visible location. And the new location brought new customers; and plenty of them. "As a 50 year old business, we were surprised and thrilled to add 3,000 new, first time customer names in our first 15 months in the new location." The store’s newly updated computer system was invaluable in tracking the names, she adds.
Two interior views of Snyder Jewelers.
Snyder feels fortunate to have the blessing of carrying on the family business. It's a business that has changed a lot over the years. The inventory was initially representative of many jewelry stores of the time, and included crystal, giftware, and a bridal registry, along with jewelry and watches.
Today, the store is 2,500 square feet, with 1,800 feet devoted to the showroom. It is staffed by eight to 10 employees, year round. Today’s inventory mix is “a little bit of everything, in a way," says Snyder. "We feel our customers come here because of Snyder Jewelers’ reputation for designing and creating unique, high quality, jewelry. However they also find a large selection in stock of overall great jewelry items."
Snyder's brands include: Bellarri, Mark Schneider, Claude Thibaudeau, Beverly K, Breuning, Diadori, Gabriel & Co., John Bagley, KC Designs, Aspire, Bell Etoile, Artistry, ASBA Dangler, Lashbrook Designs, Leslie's, Spark, Novell, Atara, Studio 311, and Kevin O'Grady.
"We also have a shop in-store with brilliant jewelers and an off premises watchmaker," says Snyder.
Snyder Jewelers also has a custom line that began in the 1960s with Snyder's dad. "We live next to the foothills," says Snyder. "In Colorado, there are 41 peaks that are 14,000 feet high or better. We have a gorgeous view of Long's Peak and Mount Meeker from anywhere you are in Longmont. My father created a pendant depicting the two peaks in the 60's, and my sister Luanne and I created a new one in the early 90's. Each year I try to add to the collection. We made the peaks in white gold to symbolize our snow covered peaks, and a ring of yellow gold surrounding them symbolizing Colorado's eternal sunshine."
Some of Snyder's jewelry depicting famous mountain peaks. At top of page, a gold and lapis pendant is shown close up.
The more recent additions to the collection feature gemstone backgrounds, like Sleeping Beauty turquoise, lapis, ammolite, and black onyx, showcasing colors of the sky. From the company's website: "The Long's Peak Collection is an exquisite collection of pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets, money clips, tie chains and cufflinks inspired by the beauty of Colorado's Long's Peak and Mount Meeker. Pendants come in 7/8 and 3/4 inch."
Snyder's watch inventory is largely made up of a private label creation called The "John Hobart Collection," honoring the store's founders. From Snyder's Jewelers website: "Created and introduced in Celebration of Snyder Jewelers' 60th Anniversary, The John Hobart Collection of exclusive time pieces is a finely crafted, beautifully designed collection of watches. It is the essence of excellence and high quality. The watch line is named for son John and father Hobart Snyder, both expert Horologists (Watchmakers)." The store also carries a selection of Seiko, specializing in only Seiko-Solar.
Events and community. Snyder Jewelers is big on special events. "We send private invitations and make personal calls," says Snyder. "Along with events, we advertise in newspapers and we support the Arts, by advertising in their booklets and programs: like Longmont Symphony, the Colorado University Concert Series, The Shakespeare Festival, and the Bach festival. We also advertise in higher end magazines: Boulder magazine, Longmont magazine, and several others."
For Snyder, community is a way of life. "We're dedicated to this community. My family has been, (and many still are) members of several non-profits, service organizations, church committees or boards. I am a Rotarian, a member of P.E.O., and a co-founder of a non-profit called 'A Woman's Work' that helps women and families in need. I currently serve on the board of directors of TRU Community Care Hospice, and have served on numerous other boards and committees. My charity work fills my heart and soul, I love it!" says Snyder.
Snyder's has cultivated a wide variety of customers over the years. "I took over a forty year old business, so I happily inherited customers that were originally my parents’ and grandparents’ customers. I am proud to say many of the next generation become our new guests, and now we are blessed to be serving their children and in many cases grandchildren!"
With a wide variety of customers, Snyder Jewelers has become adept at handling them all. "The Boulder County area has become a very high tech area, but we also have a large farming community. We try to have or create what each person needs."
Snyder truly personifies the third generation jeweler. She left Colorado and the family store and went to California to college and received her degree from GIA in residence. "I loved it and stayed in California for almost 15 years. I came home when my father was very ill, and had the blessing of one more year with him. I consider Colorado home forever, wanted to stay close to my beautiful Mom and chose to keep the family business going."
Snyder still visits California often so she can visit her daughter, son-in-law and their new baby as often as she can.