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Retail News: Montica Named Outstanding Retailer in Florida; Underwoods Makes Sartorial Splash June 11, 2014 (0 comments)
Montica Jewelry Named Outstanding Retailer By Florida Retail Federation
Tallahassee, FL—The Florida Retail Federation named John and Marichi O’Rourke, left, owners of Montica Jewelry in Coral Gables, FL, as Outstanding Retail Leaders for 2014.
The Retailer of the Year award honors Florida retailers who blend sound business practices with a commitment to their communities, customers, and employees. Eligible retailers are those who work for, own, or operate a Florida retail business, with an annual sales volume of $5 million or less.
“We are thrilled to be honored by this group,” said John O’Rourke. “It represents a deep appreciation from our community and our peers; those who we have so gratefully served for more than 30 years.”
Located in downtown Coral Gables, Montica Jewelry was founded by Marichi O’Rourke’s parents. This award is the latest in a series of accolades earned by the business over the years. In addition to numerous jewelry design and customer service awards, Montica Jewelry was even named “Jewelry Leader” for two consecutive years by Harper’s Bazaar magazine.
The O’Rourkes are as passionate about serving their community as they are about serving their clients. John O’Rourke, a former private banker, currently chairs the Coral Gables Community Foundation and has served on numerous boards, including Make-A-Wish of South Florida and CHARLEE (Children Have All Rights: Legal, Educational, Emotional) Homes for Children.
Interior of Montica Jewelers.
Three-Peat!
Las Vegas, NV—When it comes to sartorial flair, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuit has nothing on Underwood’s Jewelers of Jacksonville, FL. The Centurion Newsletter caught up with these dapper fellows, who all either had a mind-meld or got the same dress code memo in Las Vegas. All showed up to walk the shows wearing identical seersucker suits, white shirts, and (not pictured) white buck oxfords on their feet.
“No memo!” laughed Clayton Bromberg, Sr., far right. “We all just have good taste.”
Pictured from left are Clayton Bromberg Jr., R. Michael Richards, and Bromberg Sr. of Underwood's in Jacksonville.
“See? We all have different ties. That’s individual!” joked Richards. (And, to be fair, no other color shirt or shoes really looks right with seersucker than white.)
For anyone wondering about the etiquette of wearing seersucker, apparently there are several schools of thought. While seersucker is most popular in the South, the “Memorial Day to Labor Day” rule that morphed into the national standard actually isn’t a Southern custom. It was derived from Northern prepsters, whose Ivy League colleges are north of the Mason-Dixon Line where the weather truly doesn’t warrant summer garb until Memorial Day.
“Pshaw,” say Southerners, who don their puckered stripes either at Easter or as soon as it’s warm enough. But “off by Labor Day” seems to be fairly universal north or south (especially regarding white shoes), unless one is truly going to follow the “whatever the weather dictates” rule.
Or, if you’re Clayton Bromberg, you wear it till the Alabama/Ole Miss game is over.