ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Located in downtown Ann Arbor, Seyfried Jewelers is closing after being in business for over 100 years.
In the final weeks, long-time customers have come by to say their final farewell.
Bill Zolkosky and his wife Pam have been coming to Seyfried's since they moved to Ann Arbor 20 years ago.
"Twenty years ago for our first anniversary I got Pam a liquid silver necklace, and they ordered it special for me," said Zolkowsky.
Over the years they became close to the owners, Bill and Jim Hart.
"We know Bill and Jim and we are going to miss not seeing them around," Zolkowsky said.
Bill and Jim Hart bought Seyfried's from the original family in 1978. After 35 years of business, they started to think about retiring.
"I'm tired of working," Bill said. "We've been here 35 years but I have been working 45 years so I am old enough to where I need to settle back and relax for a little bit."
So when their landlord decided to raise their rent in 2014 by about $2,000 a month to match the rents of the surrounding stores, Bill and Jim decided to call it quits. They said they will miss their loyal customers the most.
"You come to work and you see 20 to 30 people each day and you talk to them, tell stories, that's nice," Jim said.
Their customers said they will miss Seyfried's Jewelers as well.
"It's a hometown store, it's a local store and I think I am going to miss that the most because I like to support local business, and I just think we are losing another one downtown," comments Sara Peth, a customer of 30 years.
The Black Pearl, a restaurant, and Life is Good, a retail shop, plan to split the space.