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Value, service continues at Glencoe’s Olsky Jewelers
Howard Bernstein, owner of Olsky Jewelers, holds an antique watch in his shop on Monday in Glencoe. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
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Olsky Jewelers
Specialties: Diamond, gold and sterling silver bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces and watches, Olsky also offers expert repair and custom design.
Location: 348 Park Ave., Glencoe
Contact: (847) 835-0035
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Updated: June 18, 2012 8:45AM
Pendants, rings, necklaces and pieces made of combined gold and silver adorn the display cases of Olsky Jewelers in downtown Glencoe. Watches line one part of the wall in the small shop, which has been in the same location for 57 years and is the North Shore’s oldest jewelry store.
Howard Bernstein, owner of Olsky Jewelers, said business at the shop is typically a mix of sales and repairs. He said ring sizing is one of their most popular services.
“We also design jewelry,” he said, adding that diamond setting is another service they provide.
Bernstein said he thinks what draws customers to the store is the one-stop nature of it. Customers can either buy something new or have a piece repaired. Also, he said, is the draw of discounted prices.
“Our recipe is that we sell at discounted prices,” he said. Bernstein said over his 20 years at Olsky, he thinks the store has evolved slightly.
“I think it’s evolved because of the price of gold,” he said, pointing out some partial gold, partial sterling pieces. Bernstein explained that with the price of gold being so high, sterling has become more popular.
Bernstein also said the pieces he sells now are generally smaller in size than older pieces.
“They are smaller and more trendy now,” said Bernstein, explaining that he and the staff at Olsky try to keep up with what is popular. “We’re always updating inventory to bring in what’s fashionable,” he said.
Janice Braden, a sales associate at Olsky, said it can be fun to change the window decorations in accordance with the seasons.
“I think the Valentines Day one is my favorite,” she said. Other displays, Braden said, are a Christmas display and window displays for fall, spring and summer.
Bernstein said he’s seen only minor changes to downtown Glencoe since he became the owner of Olsky more than 20 years ago.
“There’s been a lot of retailers going in and out,” he said. However, he also said his clientele have remained relatively the same.
Prior to becoming owner at Olsky, Bernstein said he owned a women’s clothing store in the Chicago loop area.
“I had the retailing background and I heard the store was available,” he said. After meeting twice with the owner, he bought Olsky. He said he kept the name out of respect for the former owner, who operated the business for 36 years.
