Our 70th Anniversary!

This year we are celebrating 70 years in business. Our roots are firmly fixed in our small community of Southbridge, Massachusetts, and have been ever since my Grandfather, Louis Cormier, returned home after World War II. He had been working in New York City as a clockmaker where he kept the clock on top of the Metropolitan Life building running smoothly. It's not clear why he chose to return home to such a small town after living in the big city, but we are sure glad he did. Soon after returning, he set up shop in Southbridge. The year was 1946.

But that would mean we have been in business for 71 years, not 70. Why are we celebrating our 70th? As with all family histories, some events become fuzzy with time. In our family, it was always a known fact that my Grandfather opened the very first Cormier Jewelers in 1947. In fact, the front of our store is emblazoned with "Since 1947". Our website says the same, and so does our stationary. When he was alive, my Grandfather never refuted this known fact. Then one day, after he had passed, we found an old business ledger tucked away in his house. In it was a record of his very first transaction for the jewelry store. The date? November 1946. Who knew? We do know that in 1947 he purchased the building we are still in today. So in that sense, 70 years seems appropriate. We celebrate our 70th because, evidently, that's what Louis would have wanted.

Many things have changed since my Grandfather set up shop. For one, our store has changed its look over the years, both inside and out. The jewelry we sell and service has also changed over time. And we are now in our fourth generation here at the store with my son, Thomas, joining the business this year. But one thing has never changed: our commitment to our customers. We would like to think that the reason we have stayed in business for so long is because of all our hard work, but we know the real reason we are still here is because of our customers. Without them, we would not exist. They are also in their fourth generation with the great grandsons and granddaughters of my Grandfather's generation supporting us now. It really is a family business - inside and out. And that is definitely something worth celebrating.

Shawn Cormier
Cormier Jewelers
42 Central Street
Southbridge, Ma 01550
1-508-765-1963
www.cormiers.com