Business of the Week: Yorktown Jewelers
There is no better way to celebrate the anniversary of a business than by expanding it. On Black Friday, in honor of its third anniversary Yorktown Jewelers unveiled its new intimate bridal suite to the public.
“We wanted to capture the market of people who have to travel to the city or shop on the internet,” said owner Myron Ruales. “I wanted to give the local communities a place where they could shop for an engagement ring and not only save money, but not have to deal with the hassles involved with the other options.”
When you shop at Yorktown Jewelers you get a taste of the high-end jewelry establishments in the comfort of a small family business. The experience is provided by Ruales, who spent 27 years in jewelry retail and management before the economic downturn that made him lose his management position over 40 employees.
In a difficult time, Ruales and his wife Lena decided to take a chance and open a small business. Three years later after providing honest service and a strong sense of community, Yorktown Jewelers is now a thriving business.
Ruales, a Cortlandt resident, is a Gemological Institute of America graduate. There he learned the technical aspects about the diamonds and gems trade. But the fundamentals and the love of the industry, that came from his mother who immigrated to this country fromEcuadorand rose to success in the jewelry industry as a diamond buyer. She also had her own jewelry line that Ruales would help her create on the weekends.
Carrying on his mother’s tradition, Ruales now has his own line of jewelry that he sells through the store. Yorktown Jewelers also carries designer jewelry lines such as Tiffany, Movado, Amore Baci and Anatoli. Ruales can also create custom pieces. The store also repairs jewelry as well.
“We have something for every budget,” said Ruales who runs the store with his wife Leana. “We have jewelry in platinum, gold, white gold and silver as well as diamonds and other gems of all different styles and qualities.”
In addition Ruales can help customers get the style they are interested in for less than the high-end showrooms.
“We do custom made rings as well as renditions of the latest designer pieces,” said Ruales. “So we can create a ring similar to that which a bride may have seen in a magazine. She can have it for a fraction of the cost.”
Being a family owned and operated business allows the customer to have a more intimate experience in the jewelry buying experience.
“We offer a warm comfortable friendly experience,” said Ruales. “People can come in and we will listen to their needs. We have created this intimate setting so can help our customers design exactly what they are looking for.”
In addition to personalized customer service, Ruales shows his appreciation to the community by constantly giving back and participating in several fundraisers throughout the year.
Recently, Yorktown Jewelers helped sponsor “Raise Your Glass” a fundraiser to assist Support Connection, an organization providing emotional support services to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
On Black Friday, 20 percent of the proceeds went to Stephanie’s Mission, an organization established after Stephanie Crispinelli was tragically killed by the Haiti Earthquake while traveling on a the “Journey of Hope” mission, working and caring for the poor. Stephanie’s Mission is dedicated to raising money to continue her passion for helping the poor by supporting non-profit, US-based charities and humanitarian missions.
The proceeds from purchases made at Yorktown Jewelers on Black Friday will help build an elementary school in a poverty-stricken Jamaican town that Stephanie had visited multiple times.
Yorktown Jewelers is located in theRomaBuildingat2008 Crompond Road,Yorktown Heights and is open Monday- Saturday.
For more information visit www.yorktownjewelers.com or call 914-245-1023.
