John Atencio, a jeweler who’s been in business in Colorado for nearly 40 years, is the latest in a short list of independent jewelers to invest a pot of gold in new, dazzling digs.
After 32 years at his Cherry Creek North store, Atencio moved to a new store and studio Wednesday inside the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
Three weeks earlier, Hyde Park Jewelers, a 12-year-old tenant inside the mall, unveiled a $1.5 million makeover of its 10,000-square-foot flagship store.
Last week, Trice Jewelers, a longtime fixture in the University Hills Plaza strip center, opened its new location in a free-standing 14,000- square-foot mega-store at the Streets at SouthGlenn in Centennial.
Recession, what recession?
Despite the current economic climate, Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for The NPD Group Inc., a New York-based retail research organization, says it’s imperative for players in the luxury-goods category to reinvent or redesign themselves.
“The pure luxury consumer tends to disappear during the recession,” Cohen said. “But that luxury customer is beginning to return. . . . To be successful in luxury, you have to be where the consumer is going to go or wants to go when they’re spending that kind of money. They want to shop where they’re going to get the service and respect that the luxury consumer is demanding.”
Part of the reinvention of the jewelry sector is to come up with marketing ideas that can convince shoppers why, for example, they should buy a $10,000 watch when a $50 one tells the same time.
“The luxury automobile dealers sell a car for $100,000 that looks the same each year,” Cohen said. “Why would I need a new one? Showcase it for me so I understand why (a consumer should upgrade).”
In Hyde Park’s case, owner Michael Pollack gutted and rebuilt the store in part buoyed by sales numbers that are on a slow ascent after a disastrous dip of 25 percent — the worst in the company’s 34-year history — from the fourth quarter 2008 to third quarter 2009.
Trice owner Ralph Klomp jumped at the chance to buy the land and build a $2.5 million free-standing store at Southglenn.
“It’s a major investment, and we’re happy to do it,” Klomp said recently. “We’ve positioned ourselves so when the economy bounces back, we’re able to provide the very best service and best jewelry we can.”
After 20 years of negotiations between Atencio and Cherry Creek mall-owner Taubman Centers Inc., they finally found the right fit.
For several years, Atencio had his eye on the prime space along the valet entrance just past Kona Grill and opposite the customer service counter.
Along with the 1,500-square-foot flagship store, Atencio will set up his studio where he can interact with customers and work on designs.
“I think everybody’s trying to figure it out,” he said about the investment influx by the three independent jewelers. “You can’t sit around and do the same thing. If you do, you’ll go away.”
Dog days done.
After four years in the pampered pet biz, Sheila Fuller, owner of For Paws Bakery & Pet Spa at 19565 E. Mainstreet in Parker, is closing the doggie doors for good on Monday.
“This last year has taken a physical and financial toll that has brought us to this very difficult decision,” Fuller wrote in an e-mail to her customer base. “We have been victims of three separate lawsuits based on little more than greed, and although we have won the first two and our attorney is convinced we could win the third, fighting has brought us to the point of exhaustion.” Fuller could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Ladies’ luck.
A couple more lucky ladies should be added to the list of Colorado dwellers who took home truckloads of goodies during Oprah Winfrey’s two-day Ultimate Favorite Things giveaway during her Nov. 19 and 22 shows (4 p.m. CBS4).
Kathy Gingery, founder of the Tabernash-based Shining Stars Foundation, grabbed the goods on the Nov. 19 show. I’m told she intends to donate most of her gifts back to Shining Stars for fundraising efforts.
Lakewood’s Holly Mendoza also was showered with gifts. Mendoza is the leader of Hills, an organization that takes people with disabilities on adventures.
Eavesdropping
on Facebook: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade . . . then find someone whose life has given them vodka and have a party.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
