SYLACAUGA — After about 70 years in business, Frank House Jewelers in Sylacauga will be closing its doors next month.Michael Wood, who has owned the store for the past 10 years, said the store has shown a profit every year, but it is becoming more difficult to compete with the large retail stores.
Wood had been in the jewelry business 20 years when he purchased Frank House. He said he knew the name was special to the town and he wanted to continue the tradition the Houses had started.
"We felt the Houses had established a terrific reputation, and that’s important in the jewelry business," he said. "The name meant more to Sylacauga than anything we could have given it, just the tradition of what it had stood for."
Wood said after 30 years in the jewelry business, he just wanted to do something else with his time.
He said he has two young daughters, and in the retail business, where you work most Saturdays and holidays, he didn’t have as much time as he would have liked to be with them.
With some degree of regret, he will be closing Frank House on April 8.
"I’m deeply saddened that I am the one who’s closing Frank House," Wood said. "This institution is a landmark. I wish someone would come forward and keep it going."
But so far, no one has expressed any interest.
Frank House Jewelers was begun in 1938, but before that, the original owner, Frank House, operated a watch repair shop there. He and his wife owned the store until the late 1970s.
Their daughter, Betty Aarhus, said she had no strong feelings about the store closing.
"That was a long time ago and things change and you have to move on," she said.
The time had come for Wood to move on.
Originally, he had thought he would open a smaller jewelry store in town, but later decided against that option.
He said he has a few job opportunities — some that would allow him to stay in Sylacauga; others that would require him to move. Regardless, he said he will always think fondly on the city and the people there.
"Sylacauga is a great town and has been truly great to us," Wood said. "The town accepted us very easily. I’ve made what I’d like to think are life-long friends in the area."
The jewelry business itself helped Wood make friends in Sylacauga.
"The jewelry business is very satisfying," he said. "You’re able to sell merchandise that has a special meaning to the recipient and marks a special occasion."
Wood said the people he sold engagement rings or wedding rings to would often become repeat customers and eventually his friends.
The city has given much to Wood over the years, but the relationship has also been a reciprocal one.
"As a business owner and someone who had a stake in the town, I felt I needed to get involved," he said.
As a member of the Commercial Development Authority, Wood had a hand in the revitalization of the downtown area.
Ten years ago, about half the buildings downtown were vacant. Now there are just a few. Though the CDA can’t take full credit, Wood said he believes he and the other members played a part.
"I think the future is very bright for Sylacauga," he said.
As a good-bye gesture to his customers and friends, Wood will be holding a farewell party April 6, 7 and 8. Refreshments will be served.
"It will be an emotional time," he said.
