110-year-old jeweler closes
Washington, Pa.--After 110 years in business in a downtown location, McNary's Jewelry Store in Washington, Pa., is closing its doors and selling off the remainder of its jewelry inventory.
Owner Joe Ames, 88, and his wife Margaret recently sold the building that housed their store at 31 N. Main St., and a realtor says the space will be transformed into law offices, according to a report in the Observer-Reporter in Washington, Pa.
Business has slowed down, according to Joe Ames, who told the newspaper that he made the decision to close over the past few months after noting that most of his business stemmed from jewelry repair rather than sales. Many of his downtown competitors, including Taper's and S.A. Myers, went out of business long ago, the jeweler added.
Ames, his wife, and their daughter, Mary Elizabeth DeWitt, who has been helping them wind down the business, said the closing is bittersweet and that longtime customers have been stopping in to wish them well.
"They take it really to heart," DeWitt told the newspaper.
Thomas McNary founded the original jewelry store on North Main Street, just north of its present location back in 1900. Ames purchased the building from his aunt, Rose Murray, in 1943 after working at the store for six years, according to the report.
McNary's has made a reputation in the community for its high levels of customer service. Over the holidays, for example, Margaret would wrap every gift, no matter how small, and top it off with a hand-made bow, the report said.
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