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Attleboro Jewelers Named 2014 Business Of The Year

Attleboro, MA—Attleboro Jewelers is the recipient of the 2014 Business of the Year Award, given by the United Regional Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts. Each year, the Chamber chooses one company within the 16 communities they serve, to be Business of the Year. (Left: Nancy Young and grandson Jeff Read of Attleboro Jewelers.)

The award is given to a Chamber member business that is well established with increases in sales as an indication of continued growth. Further criteria considered include: employees donating their time and talents to community projects, fundraising, or other activities for the betterment of the entire community.

In nominating Attleboro Jewelers, Kelly Fox of Ameriprise Financial wrote, “In its 19th year, Attleboro Jewelers enjoys record revenues and supports a myriad of community and civic causes. In spite of very challenging times for the jewelry industry, Attleboro Jewelers has experienced consistent growth; it is a business that is here to stay and is the anchor for Attleboro’s downtown business district.”

Nancy Young opened Attleboro Jewelers in 1994, with the support of 15 local jewelry manufacturers who supplied the store with products, which sold at outlet prices. These partnerships grew over 20 years and now the business has evolved, adding popular and prestigious national brands, including prime diamond suppliers some of whom are DTC Sightholders.

The store is committed to supporting local businesses and purchases products ranging from office supplies to gold chain from local vendors. Attleboro Jewelers is a true family business with three generations working and managing the business: Nancy, her daughter, Kimberly, and her grandson, Jeff Read. The business operates in the former Balfour refinery, the only remaining vestige of Balfour in Attleboro.

Nancy Young has spent her entire career in the jewelry industry. She is a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), as well as the Providence Jewelers Club. Young serves on many boards, including the Southeastern Mass Manufacturing Partnership, the Bristol County Board of Tourism, and the Attleboro Industrial Museum. She is a founding member of Friends of Attleboro Interested in Revitalization (FAIR), and co-chair of the Downtown Attleboro Associates. Young also volunteers as a founding organizer and active supporter of Attleboro’s EXPO for the Senses, and its Winter Night Festival.

In 2003, Young founded the Women At Work Museum, located adjacent to the store. She is president and the largest benefactor of the 501(c)3 entity, dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue careers in math, science, engineering and technology. Over the past 30 years, Young has generously given her time and expertise to numerous volunteer and charitable organizations as well as to the City of Attleboro. She has mentored countless young women by personally sponsoring work/study programs and internships where high school students shadow her at work and to learn how rewarding an attainable career can be.

In 2000, Young was the first recipient of the Athena Award, given by the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of her “demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in her profession” and for “providing valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the life for others in the community.” 

Nancy's grandson, Jeff Read, also of Attleboro, is responsible for bringing state-of-the-art innovation to Attleboro Jewelers, enabling the design of custom engagement and wedding bands. This technology is housed on-site at the 35 County Street store. It utilizes 3D printing technology to “grow” the ring or pendant overnight, making possible the quick and efficient production of designs-on-demand and the creation of completely custom, one-of-a-kind personal creations. The business also offers a wide selection of jewelry and gems, with an emphasis on local brands such as Alex & Ani, Chamilia charms, Reed & Barton, LeStage, and Imperial Pearl. 

Attleboro Jewelers has been voted #1 Jewelry Store since 2009 by The Sun Chronicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards as well.

Panel Acknowledges Independent Retailers Are Good For Shopping Centers

Chicago, IL—Shopping center landlords are finally seeing what jewelers always knew: independent retailers can be highly beneficial to shopping centers.

A panel of shopping-center experts here last week said that while privately owned independents can be more reluctant to share sales figures with shopping center landlords than publicly-owned national chains, the local flavor and distinction they bring to a center is well worth supporting. The extra service of an independent is important to customers who are willing to pay more for excellent service from a local merchant. Additionally, such stores may draw these customers to other stores in the center that they might not otherwise patronize.

“It’s a good thing for the industry, long-term, to push independents,” said Conor Flynn, president and COO of Kimco Realty, while Thomas Lithgow, president of Inland American Retail Management, pointed out that owners now can afford to give up a few dollars per square foot to get the additional “flavor” an independent adds to a center, whereas that wasn’t possible three or so years ago.

Read more here.