Jewelry

LifeWay Christian Resources Corporate Office

Lifeway Christian Resources was founded in 1891 by J.M. Frost, a pastor. Frost borrowed some money from his wife and ,with the approval of the Southern Baptist Convention, he began a small bookstore, which mainly offered Sunday School materials.

Today, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the largest providers of religious and Christian materials in the world. In addition to books, this non-profit company offers Christian inspired jewelry, Holiday cards, eBooks, and gifts. The company also does their own ministry, and provides audio and video recordings, as well as church supplies and internet services.

The company has more than 186 locations, more than 4,000 full time employees, and has one of the largest Christian conference centers in the world. Lifeway Christian Resources acquired Berean Christian Stores in late 2013, which had 17 locations in California.

Lifeway Christian Resources

History

Kay Jewelers Corporate Office

Kay Jewelers was founded in 1910 by Henry Shaw in Akron, Ohio. The company is a subsidiary of Sterling Jewelers, which is owned by Signet Jewelers. The company offers fine jewelry, with their specialty being diamond wedding and engagement rings.

Kay Jewelers, along with the other Sterling Jeweler names such as Marks & Morgan, and Belden, is the second biggest jewelry seller in the US. The company offers a wide range of insurance and cleaning plans on almost all jewelry that is sold.

Sterling Jewelers, along Kay Jewelers, were accused in an online story, published May of 2016, which stated that customers discovered that their diamonds and other gemstones were removed and replaced with cheaper quality stones when their items were left for cleaning or repair. The company denies these allegations.

In response, the company has stepped up its store promotions and is offering bigger discounts to attract new customers in hopes of bolstering the parent company’s sagging stock.

One of Signet’s subsidiaries, Sterling, was accused in 2017 of gender discrimination. The CEO retired for “health reasons.” There are at least 2 class action lawsuits claiming gender discrimination that are pending.

In May 2019, the Consumer Protection Bureau announced an $11 million settlement with Signet/Kay Jewelers after receiving complaints that customers were signed up for credit cards that they did not authorize.

A law enforcement officer was denied entry into a Kay Jewelers location because of his service weapon. After the story went viral on social media, the company quickly issued an apology and stated that its “no weapon” policy should not have been applied to a uniformed police officer.

In December 2022, the current CEO, Gina Drosos, was credited for breathing new life back into the company.

Company headquarters for Kay/Signet Jewelers is located in Akron, Ohio.

Kay Jewelers

History

In response, the company has stepped up its store promotions and is offering bigger discounts to attract new customers in hopes of bolstering the parent company’s sagging stock.

In December 2022, the current CEO, Gina Drosos, was credited for breathing new life back into the company.

Company headquarters for Kay/Signet Jewelers is located in Akron, Ohio.

Gump’s Corporate Office

Gump’s of San Francisco traces its roots back to 1861, when the Gump brothers, Solomon and Gustav, opened a mirror and frame shop. The company later added gilded frames and artwork, designed for those who hit it big during the California Gold Rush. The original store was destroyed by the earthquake in 1906, but the sale of a single painting allowed the company to rebuild and restock.

Today, Gump’s belongs to an investment group, Gump’s Holdings, to whom it was sold in 2005. The company continues to sell upscale furniture, home decor, jewelry, gifts, and cultured freshwater pearls. The only thing not for sale in the store is a giant gilded wooden Buddah, from the Quing Dynasty, carved sometime in the early 19th century.

In addition to home decor items, the company also sells business furnishings. There are still paper catalogs, as well as an extensive eCommerce site.

Gump's

In addition to home decor items, the company also sells business furnishings. There are still paper catalogs, as well as an extensive eCommerce site.

History

Boscov’s Corporate Office

Boscov’s department store was founded by Solomon Boscov in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1911. A Jewish immigrant, Boscov began selling items door to door. Soon, he was able to open his own store in downtown Reading. The original name of the company was Economy Shoe Store and Dry Goods Annex. By 1968, the company had 4 stores and had annual revenue of $50 million.

Today, Boscov’s remains one of the last, family owned department stores with sales of more than $1 billion. The company has 44 stores in 7 states, with the largest store in New York. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2008, the company reemerged in 2009 and began to re-open locations that had been closed due to the bankruptcy.

The company continues to expand, with plans to open a location in Sangertown Square, in Hartford, New York, in the former Sears building, in late 2016. A store opened in 2015 in a former J.C. Penny location in Connecticut, marked the company’s first New England location.

Boscov's

History

Helzberg Diamonds Corporate Office

Helzberg Diamonds was founded by Morris Helzberg in 1915. The first location was in Kansas City, Missouri. Almost immediately after opening the store, Morris Helzberg became very ill, which forced his son Barnett to take over the business at the age of 14. Barnett Helzberg proved himself a savvy businessman even at such a young age. By the end of 1929, the company had expanded to 3 locations.

Barnett Helzberg, Jr., sold the business to the Berkshire Hathaway in 1995. He also authored a book about selling the family business to the owner of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.

Today, this retail jeweler has more than 234 locations across America. The company specializes in diamond engagement and wedding rings, as well as other types of gold and silver jewelry.

Helzberg Diamonds

Barnett Helzberg, Jr., sold the business to the Berkshire Hathaway in 1995. He also authored a book about selling the family business to the owner of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.

Today, this retail jeweler has more than 234 locations across America. The company specializes in diamond engagement and wedding rings, as well as other types of gold and silver jewelry.