Our
original store 1929-1999
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The
year was 1929 , and the nation was plunged into a great depression. Sam
Yampell founded the store that year with nothing but his tools, his workbench,
and his knowledge as a watchmaker, clockmaker, jeweler, diamond and precious
stone expert. |
.
Through
The Years
.
When Sam was in the fifth grade in Philadelphia,
his father met a tragic death. His father peddled fruits and vegetables
on the streets from a horse and wagon. The horse was frightened by trolley
and reared up throwing Sam's father to his death. Sam had a mother who
did not speak a word of english, and eight brothers and sisters whom he
now had to support. He left school and apprenticed in many phases of the
jewelry business, and after work sold the Inquirer on Broad St. until 3
AM each day.
.
The store was a dream come true. He ran it with his
wife Freda, until Sam died prematurely in 1968. Freda who had worked side
by side with Sam kept the business going. As she aged she often told her
family it was the best decision she ever made, as it kept her mind sharp
and gave her purpose. Freda who tended store everyday until she was 89,
was behind the counter on the day she died.
The store was inherited by her son, Elliott Yampell,
a trial lawyer by profession, and a jeweler by birth. He had grown up behind
the counter and had devoted his time to the store throughout his
legal career. Elliott and his son, Sam, and their very caring staff, continued
the Yampell family tradition. Sam had come right out of college and trained
and worked alongside his grandmother for 12 years prior to her death.
.
| Sam
designed a beautiful and more spacious store at the corner of Kings Hwy.
and Chestnut St. The store was moved from its original 70 year location
from #109 to #104. Elliott turned the business over to Sam, who still runs
it as a family business today. |
Our
Store Today
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