34 years in business for this Minneapolis Jeweler… it’s no small feat. Gittelson Jewelers has seen and experienced a lot in it’s 34 years in business as a local jewelry store. While the world (and the jewelry business!) has seen change, there are still many things that have remained the same. As a family run business, there were always ideals that were important to us in the running of our business, yet in turn, small-businesses have come up against challenges that no one could have predicted back when we opened our doors August 7th, 1985.
Through it all the family and the business has come away with an appreciation for what we have – our many and loyal customers have become like family. Our steady and relentless pledge to excellent customer service (that is the backbone of every decision we make at Gittelson Jewelers) offers opportunities to grow and change with the world around us, from engagement rings to jewelry repair to the sale and repair of watches.
As your local, downtown Minneapolis jeweler we thought it would be fun to do a little comparison of how times and the business has changed since the 80’s.
Engagement ring styles
Marquise diamonds may no longer be $2500 per carat, as they were when this add ran in the Star Tribune back in 1990, but they are the the ‘IT diamond’ in engagement ring design today.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, we stocked completed diamond rings, like the ones shown above and the recipient or the one proposing would take it home that day, diamond in hand.
While we still do stock diamond rings completed and ready to go, the process is different today as we custom make many rings to order due to the specifics of the design of the engagement ring or the finger size of the recipient. Engagement ring trends in today’s market demand a nimble jewely store that offers custom jewelry design and world-class service.
How we reach and interact with our customers
Gittelson Jewelers is a traditional brick and mortar jewelry store, meaning we do interact with our customers face-to-face and enjoy bringing a high level of service to every interaction that we have. However, as many of us now know, interactions are commonly happening over the internet, through email and online platforms, like social media and company websites.
We know that the lives of our customers are busy and that this means of interaction is often welcomed and convenient for fitting in with their busy lives. While we used to complete all customer interactions in person, we now are often found writing emails, communicating store news over social media and even selling our jewelry online. We value all our customers, however they would prefer to interact with us, and we make sure we are available to them in ways that are welcomed and convenient. We strive to keep the tradtion alive for your family as your number one Minneapolis jeweler for generations to come.
Downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding neighborhoods
Gittelson Jewelers has been proudly residing in the Northstar West Building in Downtown Minneapolis since we opened our doors in 1985. Many vendors, downtown workers and things about Minneapolis have changed since we first took up residence in the Northstar West. Since we’re located in the skyway we have traditionally catered to the downtown crowd, people in the downtown area for work, Monday through Friday. We often sold and worked with our clients during the lunch hour. However, downtown has always been a top destination in Minneapolis tourism and especially a magnet for Minnesota sports’ fans.
Back when we opened, the Metrodome was The Spot hosting the home field of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Now in its place resides U.S. Bank Stadium, the sole home of the Minnesota Vikings. A few years previous, Target Field had been constructed across downtown with Minnesota Twins fans either rejoicing or complaining about outdoor baseball. Beyond the downtown area, there is now the Downtown East neighborhood, North Loop and the ever-growing Uptown neighborhood if you head south on Lyndale Ave.
Much has changed, but…
Much has also stayed the same. Gittelson Jewelers was built on the notion of providing beautiful jewelry, top-notch customer service consultations and memorable experiences built on relationships. It’s our relationships with our customers that have projected us to 34 years in business, but just as much, it’s the relationships our customers have with each other. Friends, family and spouses – these are the relationships that matter, the relationships that jewelry often signifies. Engagement rings are about making the ultimate commitment to another person.
Don’t forget about the first pair of diamond earrings a dad buys his daughter. Or when mom and dad pass away and leave their jewelry collection to their children and grandchildren. Whatever stage of life you’re in, there’s a piece of jewelry to signify a special moment in a person’s life. We love to be the family-owned jeweler to oversee these occasions, share in your joy or maybe in the tough moment of loss. Either way, Gittelson Jewelers is here for Minneapolis.
Visit Gittelson Jewelers today. Keep the tradition of our family in your family for generations to come.
