Repair Services Set Allen’s Jewelers Apart
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Sales of luxury items like fine jewelry tend to drop dramatically during a recession. While some jewelers have had to close their doors or downsize their operations, Allen’s Jewelers has survived thanks to its jewelry repair services. The retail store is only a small part of the overall operation. Three full-time jewelers and one polisher do repair work for retail customers and other jewelry stores.
“Our niche is repair,” said Steve Allen, owner of Allen’s Jewelers. “It’s really kept us going through the downturn.”
More willing to spend in 2011
According to Allen, people seem a little more willing to spend this year than in the past two or three years. For example, wedding engagements this summer have led to solid retail sales. However, 2012 may be a different story.
“Election years tend to be difficult years for us. There is more uncertainty and luxury items don’t do well in that type of environment,” Allen explained.With more than 30 years in the jewelry business, Allen has found that advertising on the local television affiliates is the best way to stimulate store traffic. Recently however, his website has brought people into the store.
“We’ve added links on our website to the major jewelry manufacturers we carry, mainly because of the photographs they have. A few people have come into the store after seeing the pictures online,” Allen said.
Pulling together for economic growth
Allen is a member of the Citizens for Economic Growth, an informal organization of Albany business leaders that was established last year to look for ways of improving economic growth in the area. The group’s first effort was aimed at making Darton College, which is a two-year unit of the University System of Georgia, a four-year unit.
“With a two-year college, graduates tend to leave and go elsewhere for a job. As a four-year school, enrollment will increase and graduates will be more likely to stay and work in Albany. Along with Albany State, Darton can become an economic engine for our community,” he continued.
Citizens for Economic Growth met with the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and gained their support for the effort. In a relatively short time, the group succeeded in creating a four-year program in the nursing department of Darton College.
Allen believes city and county leaders need to pull together to make tough decisions that can improve the local economy. He cites consolidating city and county governments as one opportunity to eliminate redundancies and reduce public spending.“We need to move ahead as community just as Atlanta did. The book “Atlanta Rising” tells how the people there pulled together – it’s a great story,” Allen said.
“Atlanta Rising: The Invention of an International City 1946-1996” by Frederick Allen (no relation to Steve Allen) is a 50-year history of the city. It describes the rapid growth and success achieved when white business leaders began to work hand in hand with the black majority.Allen, a leader in the Albany business community for more than 30 years, and others involved with the Citizens for Economic Growth hope to create the same dynamic in Albany.
More information on Allen’s Jewelers is available on their website or call (229) 883-0716. For more information on the Citizens for Economic Growth, contact Steve Allen by email at [email protected].
