<i>In the early springtime morning, before the locals of Lawrenceville, New Jersey even had a chance to wipe the sleep from their eyes, Hamilton Jewelers was putting the final touches on what would be a very special day for not just loyal customers and passer-bys, but for moms, dads and kids. </i>
This was the day for the jeweler, in business since 1912, to give back to the community. It was the day for this third-generation family-owned and operated business to give folks a reason to kick back and relax. It was Hamilton Jewelers annual `Celebration of Family' and it was better than ever.
"This day is a truly feel-good event," says Hank B. Siegel, Hamilton's president. "We like to provide a fun atmosphere for all of the family to come out and enjoy the day." In between offering the newest jewelry collections from the likes of Anthony Nak, Mikimoto and Me and Ro as well as exquisite home dÉcor from Jay Strongwater and William Yeoward Crystal, customers were treated to a full day of fun entertainment. "There was something for everyone," Siegel says.
As the day got underway, the crowds, many of whom were invited by a direct mail invite that read, "Come out and play!" grew larger and larger. The already elegant and inviting storefront was transformed into a lively display of spring with cascading floral arrangements bursting forth in vivid reds, yellows and purples. Mingling with the guests were clowns putting smiles on the faces of children, young and old. There were also magicians whipping up tricks and face painters creating walking works of art.
With the growing emphasis on families seeking to spend more time together, such an event as this `Celebration of Family' helped reach out to these time-stressed parents who are also today's time-stressed shoppers. In addition to providing lots of family fun, Hamilton Jewelers, which will be opening its fifth store in Red Bank, New Jersey, offered a grand prize gift package for customers. The package brimmed with goodies from local merchants and featured something for every family member - even the family pet. There was a spa day for mom, cufflinks for dad, a certificate for a family portrait including custom framing, amusement park tickets for the kids and theater tickets.
An event as successful as this one can only stem from the importance the Siegel family places on treating everyone, customers and employees alike, as part of its extended family. For more than 90 years, it has and continues to be obvious to all who live in a community where there is a Hamilton Jewelers store that family does matter. President Hank Siegel credits the company's longevity to the many long-term relationships built over the years.
The company was also a trailblazer in the area of company benefits, being one of the first small jewelry businesses to offer its `family' of employees a profit-sharing program. As the company looks for areas of growth and continues building upon its successes, one thing can be sure - family will always matter.
Face painting was a hit with the kids. Here, a possible future Hamilton shopper gets her cheek painted.
Hamilton Jewelers hosts an annual `Celebration of Family' event.
http://www.hamiltonjewelers.com
(please credit europastar.com)
Source: Couture International Jeweler
August - September 03 issue
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