4 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2019 letter from the editor 120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.com T he 2019 inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame are five distinct individuals whose personalities are as much a part of their busi- nesses as the diamonds, gems and gold in their display cases. Cathy Calhoun, the eastern Pennsylvania jeweler better known by her royal title, “The Queen,” specializes in two categories: the best diamonds, and expertly curated antique and estate jewelry, all pre-approved by her majesty. Read her profile, which I wrote, on page 8. In Texas, David and Julia Gardner have carved out a niche creating custom jewelry for three tiers of customers. There are the 50,000-plus undergraduates of Texas A&M University, the professionals the college draws, and the Aggies alumni who can’t resist returning to College Station. See their profile by Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator on page 16 for more. And in the San Francisco area, there is Padis Jewelers, operated by Judy and Steve Padis. The couple, who met in Berkley, California in the ‘70s when Judy bought beads from Steve, run the business alongside the next generation— daughter Alexis—and are preparing to open the first Forevermark store in the United States. You can read their profile written by Fashion EditorAshley Davis on page 24. Five jewelers, three distinct business models and, yet, there is a common thread that winds through their stories: They are all first-generation jewelers. Cathy started her career as a bank teller. She got into the jewelry business only because she was dating a jeweler who had a heart attack right before Christmas and he asked her to run his store while he recovered. After college, David—who earned his degree in marketing—took a job with a bench jeweler and discovered a passion for design. He combined his bench skills with Julia’s marketing acumen to open and sustain a successful business. Steve turned a sidewalk bead business on Telegraph Avenue into a career, collaborating with (and eventually marrying) Judy, a bead buyer, along the way. Another interesting note about this West Coast couple—in addition to be- ing jewelers, they are vintners, which brings me to the final story of this issue. In “Jewelers Uncork New Opportunities” on page 32, Associate Editor Le- nore Fedow profiles three jewelers, including the Padises, who have branched out into the world of wines and spirits. We hope you enjoy all this issue has to offer, and congratulations to the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame Class of 2019. You’re all deserving, and we’ve loved getting to know you in this issue. Michelle Graff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Graff michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2758 EDITORIAL Senior Editor, Gemstones Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2763 Fashion Editor Ashley Davis ashley.davis@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5802 Associate Editor, News Lenore Fedow lenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5808 CONTRIBUTORS Copy Editor Peggy Jo Donahue Design and Layout Weswen Design MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Director of Marketing & Communications Molly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.org Assoc. Dir. of Communications & Digital Development Lauren Thompson | lthompson@jewelers.org SALES National Sales Manager | Bobbie Hamburg bobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225 India Sales | Bhupal Potdar bhupalpotdar@gmail.com | +91 - 98211 51035 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ryan Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelers Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers Bill Farmer Jr., Farmer’s Jewelry Karen Goracke, Borsheims Larry Pelzel, Neiman Marcus Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers PRESIDENT & CEO David J. Bonaparte BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Henne, Chairman, Henne Jewelers Holly Wesche, Chair-Elect, Wesche Jewelers Cathy Tivol, Vice Chair, TIVOL Karen Goracke, Vice Chair, Borsheims Robert F. Moeller II, Treasurer, R.F. Moeller Jeweler Coleman Clark, Secretary, B.C. Clark Jewelers Ryan Berg, Past Board Chair, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Mercedes Abramo, Cartier North America Mike Alexander, Jewelers Mutual Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry David Bouffard, Signet Jewelers Ltd. Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers Jenny Caro, Jewelry By Designs Ronda Daily, Bremer Jewelry Peter Engel, Fred Meyer Jewelers Elise Greenberg, Greenberg’s Jewelers Camile Hannoush, Hannoush Jewelers Simon Katz, Simons Jewelers Chuck Kuba, Iowa Diamond Joseph Molfese, Bella Cosa Jewelers Steve Padis, Padis Jewelers Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box Craig Rottenberg, Long’s Jewelers Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers