One of Bellevue’s original jewelers to close in January

The sign marked Old Bellevue, painted in a light blue with brown swirls, book ends a portion of Main Street downtown, alluding to a time before Bellevue Square’s regional presence. Before explosions in population made Bellevue one of the state’s largest cities, and before some of the world’s preeminent enterprises settled here. Time and trends have morphed the area, which was once the city’s primary shopping center. The area between 103rd Avenue Northeast and 100th Avenue Northeast is stacked with new condominiums above trendy restaurants. But while change has come to that neighborhood, and Bellevue as a whole, one of the main links to Old Bellevue remained: Bevan Bellevue Jewelers. But in the last few months, those all-too-familiar “everything must go” signs began popping up outside the store. The economy claimed another victim. Bevan Bellevue Jewelers will close its doors for the final time on Jan. 15., after 56 years of operation from several locations.

By Nat Levy • December 18, 2010 6:55 pm
Linda Bevan-Wyatt
Linda Bevan-Wyatt

The sign marked Old Bellevue, painted in a light blue with brown swirls, book ends a portion of Main Street downtown, alluding to a time before Bellevue Square’s regional presence. Before explosions in population made Bellevue one of the state’s largest cities, and before some of the world’s preeminent enterprises settled here.

Time and trends have morphed the area, which was once the city’s primary shopping center. The area between 103rd Avenue Northeast and 100th Avenue Northeast is stacked with new condominiums above trendy restaurants.

But while change has come to that neighborhood, and Bellevue as a whole, one of the main links to Old Bellevue remained: Bevan Bellevue Jewelers.

But in the last few months, those all-too-familiar “everything must go” signs began popping up outside the store.

The economy claimed another victim.

Bevan Bellevue Jewelers will close its doors for the final time on Jan. 15., after 56 years of operation from several locations.

Many of its customers are crestfallen at the closure, having been patrons through generations.

“It’s just awful,” said Connie Brog, a resident of Medina and long-time customer. “They’re a part of us.”

Connie and her husband, Bob, have frequented Bevan Bellevue since just after its opening in 1954. Then a part of the old open-air Bellevue Square, it was one of two jewelers in town.

The Brogs had rings designed for their 25th anniversary and their son bought an engagement ring there as well.

Stories like the Brogs’ are endless at Bevan. But with the decline of the individual jeweler coinciding with the rise of popularity of stores that can be found in every mall in the country, the ability to develop that trust and kinship between a store and its clientele is fading rapidly.

Current store owner Linda Bevan-Wyatt always took pride in the relationships she had with her customers. Customers said she was always willing to help even if they weren’t buying anything. She would advise them on value and conditions of their jewelry.

For Bevan-Wyatt, jewelry is her legacy. The company was founded by her father, Gail Bevan, and his brother, Norris, in 1954. They owned the business until their retirement in 1988. Linda worked under the new owner for three years before starting a new business 1991.

The business moved to the Hyatt-Regency for 15 years before coming to its Main Street location in 2006. But very soon after the move, things fell apart economically.

“We just kept hanging in there and hanging in there, but we had to let people go, and it’s just kind of gone downhill,” Bevan-Wyatt said. “Jewelry is the last thing people want right now; they want to buy food, pay bills and make house payments.”

Bevan-Wyatt learned that it was going to take several years just to make up the lost profits since the move to Main Street, and layoffs were causing remaining employees to work very heavy hours, so she made the decision to close her doors.

Brenda Sorensen, a four-year employee with Bevan Bellevue came in with no knowledge of jewelry, but learned the craft. Along the way, as times got harder, customers continued to come back to the neighborhood shop.

“It’s just a great place to see that customers have been here since her dad started up in 1954,” Sorensen said. “They kept coming to her all these years. Generations have been here.”

Bevan-Wyatt said that upon announcing the closing of the business, numerous regular customers have come to the store to check on her. They were sad to lose the store and Bevan-Wyatt, as well. They worried about what she’ll do next.

Bevan-Wyatt owns the property, a prime location downtown. She’s confident she and her husband will be able to lease the place out to one of a number of potential clients who have inquired about the property.

Bevan-Wyatt is sad to see the store go, but she won’t miss the long hours. With the loss of five employees during declining years, Bevan-Wyatt had to step up and work six-day weeks and 12-hour shifts. That part of her life is winding down, so what is next for the for her?

“Relax, take some time off,” she said with a chuckle. “Figure out what I want to do. I probably want to be in the jewelry business in some way.”