Venerable jewelry store Cy Fredrics recently opened its second location in Highland Park after almost six decades in Glenview.
The store occupies the Central Avenue storefront location previously occupied by Port Clinton Jewelers, whose owners retired. But the Lemick family feels like it is already familiar with the locale.
“We’ve had a nice customer base from Highland Park,” notes Dustin Lemick, third generation in the family. “We have been looking for the right opportunity for a second location for a good 10 years,” so when Port Clinton became available, it was a natural fit, he said, thanks in large part to the “incredible” walk-up traffic.
The family has not yet staged a “grand opening,” but has had several smaller events in the city.
“Our strategy was to become situated in the neighborhood,” Lemick said. “We targeted November so we could be open for the holidays. We had a great season.”
Cy Fredrics originally opened in Skokie in 1958. It was owned by Cy Lemick and Fred Mandel, whom Lemick later bought out, he said.
But the name endured as Cy and his son, Michael, ran the company. They opened the Glenview store in Plaza Del Prado on Phingsten Road in the late 1970s, Lemick said.
The Highland Park location was conceived more as a women’s boutique, but as with the flagship Glenview store, Lemick said it contains its own full workshop.
“Everything is done in-house,” Lemick said. “One of our strong suits is custom design. In addition to our exclusive line created by designer Kendall Nicole, we also repurpose older pieces our customers bring us; something that has been in the family for decades and that may be out of style.”
Cy Fredrics has also hired some former Port Clinton Jewelers staff, including co-owner Terry Perlman. That has eased the transition, Lemick said.
Lemick said the focus on customer service is key to their success — as an example, his staff is currently working with a man who is planning an in-store wedding proposal that will involve video and flowers.
Highland Parkers, Lemick said, have made a great first impression.
“They have excellent taste. They have a good idea of what they want, and it’s not strictly high-end pieces,” he said. “They are looking for unique; they want unusual and interesting.”
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Donald Liebenson is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press