Richard Winebold destinations rings in the display screen situation at Penns Valley Jewelers on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.
A one-of-its-sort company that is had tens of 1000’s of pieces of jewellery, clocks and watches move as a result of its doors in the course of the earlier 17 years in Millheim is established to shut this 7 days.
Penns Valley Jewelers operator Richard Winebold is scheduled to shut the retail aspect of his company Friday, though he’ll go on fixing pieces from his house business.
“I’m really likely to pass up the shoppers. I like the conversation with them. I like to run at the mouth from time to time, so it is ideal up my alley,” Winebold claimed with a giggle. “You get to know the people today, you get to know their difficulties. You’re portion of the local community, you are element of them. They would not convey to you people matters if they did not experience relaxed with you.”
A discussion with the upstate New York indigenous uncovered an unwavering assurance in craft, together with a determination to his consumers that can only be located amongst little business enterprise proprietors.
Winebold’s childhood was at minimum partially described by tinkering with different objects. He’d normally make issues, only to just take them apart and see if he could rebuild them all over again.
His loved ones moved to central Pennsylvania in the 1970s. That permitted him to abide by in the footsteps of his uncle, a longtime proprietor of a jewellery retailer in Blair County.
Winebold took in excess of the company following graduating from Bowman Technical Faculty, a watchmaking and jewelry faculty that has because closed.
“I’d never ever experienced any question in what I can do. I’m just good at everything I do. You show me anything, I’ll do it ideal. I have received that mechanical brain I can set the mechanical aspect to my fingers,” Winebold explained. “Some individuals are great visitors, some individuals have a photographic memory. I’m just 1 of people persons that likes performing with my arms.”
Winebold finished up in Millheim rather pragmatically. He and his spouse ended up looking for a making to open up a new store, stumbled on to 110 E. Main St. and found the charge to be sensible more than enough.
They’ve known as that spot home considering that 2004. Millheim Borough Council President Robert Zeigler referred to as Winebold “one of the pillars of the Millheim local community.”
“He’s been a rather critical cog in the business enterprise local community,” Zeigler reported. “… He’s usually recognized for being honest and immediate about matters. I imagine that is part of the motive why he’s been so successful. You know what you’re finding with him just about every one time you’re obtaining large-excellent get the job done, reasonable pricing and it is all performed with a fairness and honesty.”
The pandemic rekindled Winebold’s enthusiasm for his work, but as he turned 64, he asked himself, “Is ample, enough?” The retail side blossomed in recent several years, but the business was designed by his maintenance work.
Just one had to go.
But what will not go is Winebold’s willingness to assistance would-be shoppers. For all those that just cannot make it to the retail store, Winebold frequently picks up the piece himself, repairs it and then returns it.
He can take pride in that “old-school” method, as effectively as remaining the only particular person in Centre County to repair jewelry, clocks and watches. Some do a blend of the three, but to Winebold’s know-how, he’s the only just one who delivers the “full company.”
“That will come from my mom. Which is the way I was elevated,” Winebold explained. “Do a position, do it suitable. Or don’t do it at all.”
This story was initially posted December 27, 2021 5:00 AM.