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Schroeder Jewelry is closing after 56 years
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By Courtney Gran
Argus Student Intern
Virginia Hughes married Don Schroeder. That’s how Virginia describes her entrance into the jewelry business.
“My husband went to Bradley University for Horology, which is watchmaking. He had an apprenticeship in Plainview and he heard about a jewelry store for sale in Caledonia through a salesman,” Virginia remembered. “We bought Boehm Jewelers in 1953.”
That is how Virginia recalls her start in the business. Boehm Jewelers was located where the Pat Becker Agency is now located. The store Virginia said, got very cramped after a few years. It was then that Bob Sprague told the couple that the little restaurant/hotel across the street was for sale and Don and Virginia bought the building. But the two didn’t go the traditional remodeling route however. They tore the entire building down and stated from scratch.
“There was a gas heater in front of the stairs. So if a fire started nobody would be able to get out,” Virginia said. “We had to get rid of that so we did.”
In 1960 they tore the building down and in its place built Schroeder Jewelry. With the move came another big addition. The Schroeders added glass, silver, and china to the store. Later in 1971 when they joined with another business, they sold all of their glass, silver, and china and started selling only jewelry.
“The glass and china, that stuff didn’t go over well. You would sell five place settings out of 12 and would have seven pieces sitting in the garage still,” Virginia noted. “So we got out of that and just sold jewelry.”
By 1987, the Schroeders were also involved in another business of sorts. The couple was operating a strawberry farm. Virginia believes that the business would have turned into something “bigger and better” but her husband died of cancer before the business really got going. Virginia sold the farm that same year and focused mainly on the jewelry store, but she still admits that she misses those few acres of strawberries.
“I miss watching the clouds,” she says with a small giggle. “You know I really miss the people too, helping the people pick out strawberries. I miss that.”
The people are also what Virginia thinks she will miss most when Schroeder Jewelry closes July 2.
“Meeting the people. That is my favorite part.”
But although she will miss that she also pointed out that she isn’t sad that it is coming to an end.
“One gets older and one is not as energetic and things get harder as you get older,” Virginia said who is now 78 years old. “There comes a time. I realize this is just the course of life.”
So 56 years after coming to Caledonia to open a jewelry store, Virginia is ready to let it go, but it is a little overwhelming.
“For the first time in 56 years we have business,” Virginia joked. “Times are changing so much. I have noticed more and more that girls are buying their diamond rings on the internet. Things are changing.”
So when the big change comes for Virginia on July 2 what are her plans for July 3 and the rest of her days?
“Nothing,” she laughs. “Maybe get around to doing some housework finally. I did a lot of traveling already and you know its so interesting to try and go anywhere right now, so I am not going to do anything.”
For Virginia, it’s about time she gets around to doing just that…nothing. She has earned that much at least.
A special send-off
Friends and business associates have organized a special open house July 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Treats, punch and coffee will be served.
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