Hursts' Berwyn Jewelers to close after nearly 90 years in Berwyn

BERWYN – After nearly 90 years in Berwyn, iconic jewelry business Hursts' Berwyn Jewelers will close as President Kathy Hurst explores other pursuits and undiscovered passions.

Hurst said the business will remain open through the new year, and she's in the midst of the shop's biggest sale ever.

"I'm not going out of business because we're not doing well or I don't love it. I'm 58 years old, and I see there is something else in my life that will fulfill me... it's my opportunity to explore a bit about myself," she said.

The local shop, known as Hursts' Berwyn Jewelers at 6418 W. Cermak Road, was originally opened in 1927 by Michael Habrada, and 40 years later, he sold the business to two of his employees, brothers Ron and George Hurst and their nephew Chris. Kathy, 58, described the long-lived business as a "love affair" between the Hursts and Habrada families. Prior to 1967, the business was known as Berwyn Jewelers by Michael Habrada.

Kathy Hurst, who was born in Lemont and grew up in Berwyn, began working at the jewelry store in 1974. At the time, she said, even menial work at the store, like cleaning counters, seemed "glamorous" to her, and she enjoyed talking to customers as they waited for their rings or watches and other items to be ready. Hurst said the experience taught her how to be a salesperson.

"Sales is, basically, in my opinion, a service mentality, you are there to serve, you are there to help [the customer] find what they need," she said.

While Hurst worked behind the counter helping patrons choose special items for the loved ones in their lives, she said she and Ron Hurst fell in love and were married in 1977, the same year she took over the day-to-day operations of the business.

She said Ron was "more the visionary at the business." When shopping malls began to dominate retail sales, he told her they needed to differentiate their products from the ones peddled at malls.

Kathy Hurst then forged relationships with exclusive jewelry makers and was able to offer the store's clientele – who hail from Chicago, as well as the western, northwestern and southwestern suburbs – high-quality items they couldn't easily find elsewhere. She said the business has not only weathered upsets in the retail environment that have derailed some other small shops, but that Hursts' Berwyn Jewelers has actually increased its sales in recent years.

"I've driven the business forward in an economy that is not all that hot. I'm proud of that, and I'm proud of the team I've had with me," Hurst said.

But running a business of this size and magnitude is more than one person can do, she said. Her brother in law, George, 89, retired several years ago, and her husband, Ron, died in 2014 after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Working the long hours the store requires gives her little opportunity to do much else with her time, Hurst said.

"There is just no opportunity for personal growth. I mourn my husband, I love him like crazy. He's my mentor, he's my best friend, but I feel this is a point in my life where I need to explore who I am and I can't do that when I'm working here all the time," she said.

Aside from being the community's trusted jewelers, Hurst said she and her husband also worked to advocate and promote the entire local business community.

"Hurts' Berwyn Jewelers has brought both a unique shopping experience to Cermak Road and a charitable spirit of giving back to the whole community," Berwyn Development Corporation Executive Director Anthony Griffin wrote.

Hurst served on the corporation's Chamber Services Commission for several years, and her late husband was on the organization's Board of Directors and received its President's Award in 2011, said Amy Crowther, BDC's director of chamber services. Kathy Hurst also helped coordinate a small business promotional event called the 12 Days of Christmas in 2014 and 2015, Crowther said.

Hurst said the community and her clientele have been immensely supportive of the family business over its many years in operation. She said she's cried with longtime customers over the closing. Whatever happens next with the business, whether she sells it or the building it is housed in, her first priority is to make sure her clients and their needs are taken care of, she said.

"I truly believe if you come into my business and you have $20 or a couple thousand dollars or $20,000, it shouldn't matter how you're taken care of because you're my client and you've chosen me to help you. That's part of what a good community is built on," Hurst said.

As sad as she is to close this chapter of her life, she said she's looking forward to what the next phase will bring.

"I've been a good wife and I've been a good jeweler, and I've never had a chance to explore who I am and who I can be going forward. And I'm excited about that," she said.

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Ornament contest

Hursts' Berwyn Jewelers is holding a contest among the ornaments submitted by clients and community members for its Brookfield Zoo Christmas tree.

The design with the most votes will win the grand prize, a Stroili jeweled bangle, and four finalists will each win a Stroili heart-charm bracelet.

Voting will continue until noon Dec. 24. Winners will be announced Dec. 27.

Voting is available at apps.facebook.com/my-polls/form/brookfield-ornament-contest.