Latest news with #VanCottJewelers
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular third generation family owned jewelry store closing after 111 years: 'Time to say goodbye'
When Bill Levine met his wife Birdie he discovered on their first date that her dream was to own a jewelry store. It was a dream the couple went on to share for more than 45 years with Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York. But now the beloved jewelry store owned by the couple has closed down after more than 100 years in business. Van Cott Jewelers was founded in 1914 in Binghamton, New York, and later was acquired by the Levine family. Bill and Birdie took over the business from Bill's father Herbert in 1979. 'This is something we have to do,' they wrote on the company's website in April. 'For over a century, Van Cott Jewelers has been honored to serve this incredible community. 'Thank you for your loyalty, your trust and for allowing us to be a part of your lives for all these years. The memories we've shared with you will stay with us forever.' 'We've been part of so many special moments — helping you pick out the perfect engagement ring, celebrating milestones, or simply finding the piece of jewelry that makes your heart sing,' the Levines wrote in a thanks to their customers on Facebook. The couple said 'recent life-changing events' had led them to reevaluate their priorities, National Jeweler reported. Van Cott specialized in engagement rings, earrings bracelets and pendants. It remained popular over the decades, being voted number one jeweler in the Southern Tier for 38 years. Loyal customers and employees shared their grief at the store's closure and their happy memories. '5 years ago I retired from Van Cott Jewelers, it was the best family to work for after 44 years & so appreciate the "family of gems" there' former employee Jessie Murphy wrote on Facebook. 'My ex husband bought my ring from Bill's father back in the day. We were young and had little money but he sold it to us on credit,' Theresa Detrick recalled. 'Through the years I got anniversary gifts ONLY from Van Cotts because they believed in us. 'The marriage didn't last but the pieces I got from there still do. In fact I handed the ring down as a family heirloom.' The New York store held a sale before it closed its doors for the final time Another customer Kate Bidwell recalled her family's love of the store: 'My mom passed down her love of Van Cotts to my sister and I and we both asked our husbands go there for our engagement and wedding rings.' The store was founded by immigrant Rubine 'Ruby' Levine after he worked in a jewelry factory during the First World War. Levine was fluent in eight languages and quickly built up clientele among the local immigrant shoe workers employed by The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company. 'My grandfather Ruby always taught us that it was better to make friends than customers,' Bill told the National Jeweler. 'My dad, Herbert, believed that everyone should leave our store with a smile.' 'His success resulted from his integrity and humanity as he diligently went door to door selling anything from wedding rings and religious items to eye glasses,' the store explained on its website. 'Thank you for your loyalty, your trust and for allowing us to be a part of your lives for all these years,' the Levines wrote.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Van Cott Jewelers announces official closing date
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – After 111 years in the business, Van Cott Jewelers has announced its official closing date. Van Cott's doors will close on June 21. A champagne toast event will be held on June 17 to thank customers and say farewell. Owners Birdie and Bill Levine announced the news in April, saying, 'This is truly a decision we don't want to do; we certainly don't need to do; it is not something we look forward to. This is something we have to do.' They are making the difficult decision to close due to health issues in their family. Van Cott started in Binghamton in 1914. Bill's father Herbert Levine bought the business in 1969, having grown up in the jewelry business of his father, Ruby Jewelers which started in Endicott in 1919. Van Cott Jewelers closing after 111 years Over the years, Van Cott has helped community members pick out engagement rings, celebrate milestones, and find everyday jewelry. It has been voted the #1 Jeweler in the Southern Tier for 38 years. Van Cott is hosting a Going Out of Business Sale from now until June 21. Birdie and Bill thank the community for its loyalty and trust. They say the memories they've shared will stay with them forever. Pizza Week 2025: Mario's Pizza in Owego 'Hurlyburly' at KNOW Theatre Demolition of IBM Old Building Group nears completion Van Cott Jewelers announces official closing date Hanagan's Heroes monument to be relocated to Southside Veterans Park Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Head-on collision in Oxford claims the life of one person
TOWN OF OXFORD, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A crash in the Town of Oxford claimed the life of one person on Saturday. On April 12, New York State Police arrived at the scene of a two-vehicle head-on collision on State Highway 12 just south of County Road 4. The operator of one vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. An investigation determined that Lawrence Slater, 51, of Norwich was traveling north on State Highway 12 in a Dodge Caravan when he crossed into on-coming traffic, striking a Chevrolet Equinox head-on. The operator of the Equinox, Steven Biviano, 62, of Oxford was killed as a result. Slater was transported to UHS Wilson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation remains ongoing. Convicted felon accused of violent domestic dispute in Otsego County Man injured after shooting in Binghamton Head-on collision in Oxford claims the life of one person Van Cott Jewelers closing after 111 years Drug bust in Town of Union leads to the arrest of one Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
