Thursday, November 7, 2024

This Newport News business has been around for 120 years

Hauser's Jewelers is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year (Julia Marsigliano/HNNDaily)
Hauser’s Jewelers is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year (Julia Marsigliano/HNNDaily)

NEWPORT NEWS — Tucked in between empty storefronts and bustling new businesses is Hauser’s Jewelers, a family-run jewelry store.

It’s been in business for years — 120 years to be exact.

The beginning

The business originally opened as a watch repair shop in 1898 near the train station in downtown Newport News.

Throughout the years the company opened multiple store locations in Newport News and even a storefront in Hampton, which remained open for nearly 30 years, according to the store’s website.

Hauser’s Jewelers moved to its current location at City Center in 2006, said current store owners, Amy and Brad Hart.

The pair bought it from Amy’s parents after they retired from the business in 2013.

Brad, a certified jeweler for Hauser’s, met Amy in 1998 when he was working at the store’s Hampton location. They married seven years later.

New owners, new vision

The fifth generation business owners have everything, from designer jewelry lines and handbags to in-house repairs and watches.

“The trust factor is indisputable with us,” Brad said. “We understand what you are handing over to us.”

In honor of the 120th anniversary, the store is selling an engagement ring with an octagon shape.

Growing up, Amy didn’t plan on taking over the business and worked at the store part-time.

She grew to love it and ended up creating the jewelry store’s first private label, Be Happy, inspired by a paper necklace with smile faces her 5-year-old daughter, Cecilia, made at the time.

Amy Hart designed the jewelry store's first private label, Be Happy (Julia Marsigliano/HNNDaily Photo)
Amy Hart designed the jewelry store’s first private label, Be Happy (Julia Marsigliano/HNNDaily Photo)

“My favorite thing about the store is being able to be creative,” said Amy, who does the marketing and aesthetics for Hauser’s.

The line starts at $1,320.

Memories of Hauser’s

Karen Thornton said her parents frequently shopped at Hauser’s and the jewelry store is a “special place” for her and her family.

“Daddy started the tradition of giving mother something every year,” Thornton said.

One of her favorite pieces is a solitaire diamond necklace with a gold chain that her father gave her mother a year before he died.

“It was the last piece he gave her,” she said.

Hauser’s Jewelers, 701 Mariners Row, Suite 108, is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For information, visit their website or call 757-595-6006. You can also follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Julia Marsigliano
Julia Marsiglianohttp://wydaily.com
Julia Marsigliano is a multimedia reporter for WYDaily. She covers everything on the Peninsula from local government and law enforcement agencies to family-run businesses and weather updates. Before WYDaily, she covered Hampton and Newport News for WYDaily’s sister publication, HNNDaily before both publications merged in December 2018. Julia was born in Tokyo, Japan and moved to Long Island, New York in 2001. A true New Yorker, she loves pizza, bagels and good Chinese food. Send comments, tips and other tidbits to julia@localvoicemedia.com. You can follow her on Twitter at @jmarsigliano

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