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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Cache Valley residents have been hearing the familiar slogan "Middle of the block, at the sign of the clock" since 1935. But the jewelry store recognized by the slogan has been around a lot longer than that. For 107 years S E Needham Jeweler has been providing Northern Utah with high-quality jewelry.
Of course when Lulu Holt Needham started the store in 1896, a lot more was sold than just jewelry. Back than, with a visit to S E Needham you could also pick up a razor, a pocket watch, or even photography equipment. The store still sells watches and clocks, but now focuses more on diamond and gem stone jewelry than it did in past decades.
Although the passing of time brought with it changes in the store's merchandise, the same family continues to own and operate S E Needham Jeweler. Sylvan Eugene Needham IV and his brother Joseph now own the store, having purchased it from their father in 1990. Gene oversees the store's finances and marketing ventures, while Joseph works as the master goldsmith. Gene told me that since they took over the store they've see profits increase to seven times more than what they were before.
I asked Gene what he attributed their success to. He told me that in addition to increasing their advertising, they completely renovated the store, and expanded it to 6,000 square feet so they could provide customers with more of a selection. But more importantly than the changes, are the things that didn't change.
S E Needham Jeweler is still a full service jewelry and watch store, priding itself on friendly, competent service and lifetime warranties. Just ask Mell Smith. He's been the master watch repairman at S E Needham Jeweler since 1938 and has stayed at the same desk the entire time.
Gene says they have no plans on expanding the store to other locations. Instead, they plan on staying in the same location for another hundred years, right in the "Middle of the block, at the sign of the clock."
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
