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Camp Hill, PA--Mountz Jewelers has expanded from one Carlisle store purchased in 1979 to three locations with 43 employees. According to a Central Penn Business Journal report, co-owner Tonia Ulsh said her father bought the store from founders Jackie and Vaughn Mountz after a long association through the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association. Her brother Ron later led the move into Camp Hill and Colonial Park.

Ulsh said the company has weathered major disruptions, including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 shutdown. The report noted that all Mountz stores were closed during the pandemic while big-box retailers kept selling jewelry. Ulsh said the team stayed intact through a mix of direct pay and unemployment support.

Mountz sells a range of fine jewelry and hand-selects each diamond. Custom work using wax carving and 3-D CAD remains a growing part of the business. Ulsh said many clients bring inherited pieces for redesign. Gold demand has risen, and Mountz continues to buy gold and silver for cash or credit. The company has also expanded online, though Ulsh said competing on search visibility is difficult.

Customer loyalty remains strong. The report cited clients who praised the staff’s consistency and personal service, and Ulsh said the business now serves third-generation families.

Mountz donates to about 75 nonprofits each year. The business also partners with Gem Legacy, helping fund tool kits, scholarships, and training for East African mining communities.

Ulsh said new business owners should commit fully and build strong teams. "You have to have a passion for it so people can see your love and be part of it," she said.

Read the entire report by Central Penn Business Journal here.