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Retail And Brand News: Borsheims’ Busy Week; Michael Newman Joins Nader Kash; More December 12, 2018 (0 comments)
A Busy Week For Borsheims!
Omaha, NE—Borsheims customers again showed their generosity during the retailer’s 13thannual Weekend of Giving. Held every holiday shopping season, the weekend event benefits a local child-focused charity in the Omaha area. This year’s beneficiary was Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA), a group that works to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally for adults and children of all ability levels, through equine-assisted activities. (At left, HETRA executive director Edye Godden with Borsheims CEO Karen Goracke)
While a percentage of all weekend sales at Borsheims were donated to HETRA, much of the excitement came from Borsheims’ Giving Tree. The tree contained hundreds of Borsheims boxes, each with a surprise gift inside: jewelry, gift cards, or merchandise from the fine gifts department. Each box cost $10 with the entire amount benefitting HETRA. The boxes sold out on the third day of the four-day event.
“We just love our annual Weekend of Giving,” said Borsheims CEO Karen Goracke. “Our customers love that they can get a gift from Borsheims and help a wonderful local nonprofit at the same time. We were so glad to have HETRA as our beneficiary this year.” The jeweler also hosts trunk shows from multiple jewelry and fine gift designers during the Weekend of Giving. Other activities during the weekend included custom engraving and complimentary food and drinks.
Sunday shoppers—all Berkshire Hathaway shareholders—were entertained by the famous Potash Twins on their special shareholders-only shopping day. It’s a return engagement for the twins, who are from Omaha and played at Borsheims’s shareholder shopping days when they were in high school.
The twins, Adeev and Ezra (below), have been labeled by NPR as the “Twin Horns of Joy,” with a history of performances live or in-studio with Winston Marsalis, Chance the Rapper, and others. They also host Bravo TV’s Beats and Bites and Travel Channel’s Southern Road Trip.
The twins shopped at Borsheims last week during a visit back to Omaha to perform at the city’s Orpheum Theater. As part of a partnership with Borsheims, the Potash twins each received a watch which they will wear onstage during their Omaha performance (the twins say perfect timing is important for musicians). They also took some time for a photo shoot with the new watches and their other favorite accessory, their horns. Beaming with pride was their aunt, Julie Potash, a longtime Borsheims sales associate.
Both Borsheims and The Potash Twins will be posting about the partnership on social media. Follow @potashtwins and @borsheims on Instagram for photos and stories.
Finally, the retailer honored its longtime director of security, Mike Noyes, who announced plans to retire at the end of this year after 23 years leading Borsheims’ security efforts.
Noyes joined Borsheims after a 20-year military career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army. With a degree in law enforcement administration and numerous professional development courses in law enforcement, security, and counterintelligence, Noyes was tenacious in his efforts to improve Borsheims’ culture regarding safety and security. He served as a Chairman of the Omaha chapter of the American Society of Industrial Security and was a member of the Jewelers Security Alliance. In addition to the policies and procedures he developed, he also cultivated a team of more than 100 security officers over the years, many of whom have moved onto careers in law enforcement, private security, or public administration.
“Good safety and security practices are never convenient,” he says often. His dedication and passion for safety drove Borsheims to become a leader in retail security in the jewelry industry. As a result of Noyes’s work, Borsheims has been recognized by its peers in the jewelry industry, vendors, insurance companies, and local law enforcement.
Borsheims president and CEO Karen Goracke said “We are a better organization, a better team, working in a safer and more secure workplace because of Mike’s guidance and influence.”
As Noyes retires, Kyle Slosson has been promoted to Security Manager. Slosson joined Borsheims in 2007 as a security officer. He was promoted to senior security officer in 2011 and security supervisor in 2014. Slosson has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor of science in security management.
Nader Kash International Names Michael Newman Western U.S. Sales Director
New York, NY—Nader Kash International has named Michael Newman as sales director, western United States. Newman brings 30 years of sales experience to his new role, with previous positions at Joshua J, Precision Set, and Movado.
In this new position, Newman will focus on the sale of Nader Kash International's core product categories: loose diamonds, perfectly matched layouts, and fine jewelry. Newman will also be responsible for developing client relationships and keeping the brand’s commitment to extraordinary customer service. Newman looks forward to working closely with clients both new and established, and can be reached via phone at (646) 998-8111 x105 or Michael.Newman@NaderKash.com
Randolph Jewelers, Launched During California Gold Rush, To Close
Placerville, CA—One of the nation’s oldest jewelry stores is closing its doors for good. 166-year-old Randolph Jewelers, which got its start in 1852 during the California Gold Rush, is having a going-out-of-business sale and will close permanently as soon as the sale is over.
In a tale all too familiar, owner Charles Stephens, who acquired the store in 1981, has no successor to take over the business and he told National Jeweler that it’s very difficult to sell a store with inventory. While he feels he’s still capable of running a successful store, he’s ready to retire.