After nearly 126 years Young & Co. Fine Jewellery will be closing its doors
A landmark 126-year-old London business will close its doors for the last time this Christmas.
Young & Co. Fine Jewellery is an independent holdout in the world of big-box retailers.
The decision to close comes as a lease for the store's location expires. Owner Bill Young plans to retire while considering an online presence.
The move is accepted but hard to take for long-time employee Deb Grima.
“Well, when you work with someone for 15 years, it’s not just a store or a job; you are family,” she expressed through tears.
Long-time Young & Co. employee Deb Grima in London, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
And, without argument, Young & Co. has truly been a family operation.
Four generations have operated the company, starting with Bill’s great-grandfather, William G Young, in 1894.
“Silverware was a big item back in those days and everybody had silver tea services and silver pieces.”
The business began on Dundas Street in London's downtown.
The original Young's Jewellers location on Dundas Street in downtown London, Ont. in 1894. (Source: Young family)
Since then it has moved, or expanded, to stores in East London, Wellington Square Mall (Now Citi Plaza), Westmount Mall and the current store and Southdale and Colonel Talbot roads.
In 1995, the company also went through a major change. In that year, the original Young’s Jewellers name was purchased by the People’s Jewellers chain.
That stopped Bill from using his family’s trademark, so he just adapted it to Young & Co. and continued until now.
“You have to make a business decision at some point, just as my father and my grandfathers did.”
Bill Young outside the current Young & Co. Fine Jewellers at Southdale Road West and Colonel Talbot Road in London, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Still, it is a hard reality for long-time customers like Fred Taylor.
“I like the small retail stores as opposed to the big-box ones, so I’m sad to see them closing up.”
Taylor was picking up a necklace for himself. In the last six months, he’s bought his wife, Nancy, new earrings and a big ring at Young & Co.
He loves the service but admits, with a playful laugh, that his pocketbook will be happier.
“It means it’s going to be saving a bunch of money.”
Nancy and Fred Taylor, Young & Co. customers, shop in London, Ont. on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
But if you go back and ask Deb Grima about the sparkling products in this store, she will set you straight.
She says gold and silver keepsakes are not as valuable in cash as they are in meaning.
“Jewelry isn’t something to wear that is pretty. It has a history. And nobody phones and says, 'Is my ring ready?' They’ll phone and say, 'I left my Grandma’s ring here, and she gave it to me in this year and for this reason, and I wondered if it was ready.'”
Young & Co Fine Jewellery will have a store closing sale which begins Thursday at the location at 3010 Colonel Talbot Rd.
- With files from CTV News London's Justin Zadorsky
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.