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DON LEMP ON WHY BEING A JEWELER IS EVEN BETTER THAN PLAYING GOLF | April 24, 2013 (0 comments)
Syracuse, NY—It's difficult to say what is most interesting about M. Lemp Jewelers. Is it longevity and a history of families of customers? The fact that the 123 year-old store still carries and sells tabletop? That Don Lemp (left) has raised almost a million dollars for a children's charity golf tournament he created? That there's a downtown park named after the store? Or that the side of Lemp Jewelers' four-story building has a giant QR code on it that, when scanned, transforms into a historical scene?
It's a hard decision! Lemp Jewelers has been an interesting store throughout its four generations. The store was founded in downtown Syracuse by German immigrant Michael Lemp. It has passed from father to son for four generations and is currently owned and run since 1976 by W. Donald Lemp (Don). Today, the American Gem Society member store is the only remaining jewelry store of the 15 that used to be located in downtown Syracuse.
Top, M. Lemp in 1906. Today's space, below, is far larger and airier than the original space, but the open-front delivery car is long gone.
Owner Don Lemp toyed with the idea of becoming a lawyer but ended up liking jewelry more. "In the back of my mind, I always knew I'd become a jeweler," said Lemp. "This is my 36th year as a jeweler and I'm having a ball. I love the people and the deals."
Lemp describes his store as "the family jewelry store. Not only where people come for generations, but also engagement rings. We offer a different experience from the Internet or mall." Lemp carries loose diamonds as well as estate jewelry. The second story of Lemp Jewlers houses a traditional gift shop with tabletop and collectibles and has a bridal registry. The store has 12 full-time employees who work on salary. "They are long term and well-trained."
Lemp sums up his store, "We are who we are and that's exactly who we want to be."
Lemp's target customer is in the 25-60 age range. While admitting that range is broad, Lemp says, "we do so many different things we can have the broad range. We sell a variety. Engagement rings appeal to the younger crowd and our designer lines work in the 40-60 age range." Lemp carries lines such as Roberto Coin, Lagos, and Baume & Mercier watches, to name a few. Lemp works in partnership with his suppliers, and truly appreciates them.
"We're successful because of our suppliers," says Lemp. "It's not just about product, we have good relationships with our suppliers. Without them, I don't have a store. Some are long time suppliers, some shorter, it goes all over the board. Solid business relationships."
Lemp connects to his customers with a 'tremendous amount' of advertising. "We do lots of TV, lots of radio and print. We cover the bases." Lemp's best known commercial has been around a while. It features Lemp in the store, swinging a golf club in the store, saying he loves selling diamonds more than golfing. "It's become an iconic ad, much to my surprise," says Lemp.
It's unusual today find a jeweler with an entire floor of tabletop. Lemp admits it's a challenge. "We think of it as a service, not a profit center. In the next few months, our online presence will better cater to the bride looking for a registry. The number of people who want a bridal registry has dwindled, but we still have customers for it."
Lemp's is one of a vanishing breed of jewelers who still carries tabletop and has a bridal registry for it.
Lemp Jewelers showcases a large number of tabletop items on its Facebook page. "We showcase merchandise and stay in touch with the community through Facebook. Our website is old, dated and neglected. In anticipation of a new, young, beautiful website that is in the works, we send people to Facebook for now."
But a bridal registry isn't the only service Lemp has provided to area couples. One couple even tied the knot inside the store last December!
Lemp credits part of his store's longevity to involvement in area charities. One that has a special place in Lemp's heart is the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Lemp and friends started a golf tournament to benefit the charity 10 years ago featuring 24 players, playing for 100 holes each. Lemp is a good golfer; he played in school and continues today. In the tourney, the golfers play from sunup to sundown. This year's event is coming up in May. "In nine years, we donated $850,000. This year, we want to surpass the $1 million dollar mark. It's my baby, my brainchild," says Lemp. Despite being a golfer since the first tourney, Lemp says it's his last year to play. It's time for fresh faces. "It's my biggest passion. We try to make a difference to those that are the most defenseless in the community." Click here to learn more.
Lemp says there are about 15 charities he and the store support. "We've been supported by the community for more than 100 years," says Lemp. "We're giving back to those that have supported us." Lemp spends a good portion of his time and energy on working with charities. In 2011, Lemp was honored by the National Foundation of Professional Fundraisers with the prestigious 'Fundraiser of the Year' award.
Downtown Syracuse has changed over the years that M. Lemp Jewelers has resided there. "Ten years ago, it was not very nice," says Lemp. "In the past two years, we've had a tremendous amount of money and redevelopment going on around us. In three blocks there's been $100 million spent." M. Lemp Jewelers has stayed involved in downtown. In 2011, a park across the street from M. Lemp Jewelers was renamed in the store's honor, M. Lemp Park.
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Volunteers plant flowers at M. Lemp Park.
And the four-story mural? From the story here: "The mural is made up of “extremely precise” QR code panels, a barcode more formally known as quick response code. Walking by, you see the mural is composed of hundreds of QR images, each a link to a Syracuse arts organization. Take a photo with a phone camera and the mural falls into place — an image of the Erie Canal during Syracuse’s salt-making era."
The final image of the mural, above.
Artists working on the pixillated version, top, and a close-up of the QR codes buried in the mural, below.
As the story about the mural says, Don Lemp owns a keen sense of adventure. And he's not afraid to use it. "I thought the mural was the coolest thing in the world," says Lemp. "Downtown was undergoing a big art renaissance; grant money helped pay for the mural."
"We're downtown people, that's who we are." That sentiment seems to be the most interesting -- and relevant -- fact of all.
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