We were honored to be chosen to appear on the KMSB Fox 11 show Tucson Treasures. It originally aired in the beginning of March. This is a very nicely produced program that highlights businesses around Tucson.
All the opportunities we have had of late to tell the story of Perri Jewelers to a new generation has been great. It reinforces our commitment to the business as it has existed for over 60 years and it reminds us of that important history.
Please watch, enjoy and then come visit us.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Guest Commentary
Steve Perri had been asked to submit a story to the local newspaper on what it takes to be successful in Downtown Tucson.
This is the text in its entirety as it was published in the Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 29.
From our humble beginning at 129-1/2 W. Congress St. to our 40-plus years at 37 W. Congress St. to our current location at 13 N. Stone Ave., Perri Jewelers has been a part of Downtown Tucson for more than 60 years.
This is the text in its entirety as it was published in the Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 29.
From our humble beginning at 129-1/2 W. Congress St. to our 40-plus years at 37 W. Congress St. to our current location at 13 N. Stone Ave., Perri Jewelers has been a part of Downtown Tucson for more than 60 years.
Our family has never considered leaving the Downtown area. The heart of the city is where we want to be.
Throughout the transformations of Downtown, we have been fortunate to keep our doors open. I have the privilege today of serving the children and grandchildren of my father's customers, and I am grateful that they continue to put their trust in our family and our business.
There is no secret to our longevity. Having grown up during the Great Depression, my father, Simon Perri, instilled in me early that hard work, honesty and relationships were the essential elements to business success.
After graduating from Tucson High and learning hand engraving in Los Angeles, he returned to the Old Pueblo and set up shop with his brother in the foyer of the old Lyric Theatre in 1945. The store space was limited and he kept things simple: Service was always more important than appearance.
We have continued his legacy at our current site, which is just a bit larger than the first store on West Congress.
There has never been anything extravagant or glitzy about Perri Jewelers. We cannot compete with the malls or upscale chain stores. To call our store "cozy" would be accurate in terms of the limited space we have, but the personal touch and attention is something in which we take pride.
We offer quality merchandise at competitive prices and provide convenient service that is backed up by the trust and confidence established by my father and our family name. From custom designs to full-service jewelry repairs to watch-battery replacements, we offer services that many other jewelry stores cannot or will not, including mechanical watch repair and hand engraving. No job is too big or too small.
For those working and living Downtown, we are conveniently located and an alternative to the mall experience. We keep a low overhead, advertise selectively, relying on word-of-mouth references, and stay true to our purpose of treating our customers the way we would want to be treated. We listen to our clientele when they offer suggestions and concerns.
In any business, but in the jewelry industry especially, trust cannot be overemphasized. Our customers know that I repair the jewelry myself, so they know they have a personal guarantee of quality.
On a regular basis, customers bring to us watches or jewelry that were deemed "unfixable" elsewhere. As a staff, we creatively problem-solve when a customer brings us a challenge. There is no magic formula, no complex business model — just simple hard work and honesty.
Our experienced and professional staff shares a commitment of purpose and vision that has made our endurance possible. Our customers know Deanna (Chevas), Peggy (Savio) and Virginia (Ciaravino) by their first names. Working for my father and now with me, Perri Jewelers is more than just a job for them. Together, we share a passion for the Downtown area and look forward to our continued success there.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Local Business is Booming
From the crowd last night for the Local First Arizona Business Mixer, local business in Tucson is booming.
It was a great festive gathering of members and soon-to-be members of the local business coalition. Perri Jewelers and Hotel Congress were the only downtown businesses represented, I believe. There were too many people there for me to meet them all.
Lotus Massage and The Food Conspiracy Co-op hosted offering a great venue and wonderful snacks.
Tucson Green Times was there and has recognized LFA for it's good work in the community.
Here is another environment that seems recession-proof or at least resistant. Many positive anecdotes from local businesses I have spoken to counterbalance the gloomy national news. Although, there has been national coverage on how green business and local business continue to do well in this unstable economy.
When I first learned about LFA I thought it was a natural fit for a downtown business like ours as well as a networking group that might provide some fortitude against the downturn. That has proved true and we just renewed our annual membership.
We are proud to further support the local businesses in Tucson. They are what make Tucson an interesting place to live and they are the backbone of our local economy.
It was a great festive gathering of members and soon-to-be members of the local business coalition. Perri Jewelers and Hotel Congress were the only downtown businesses represented, I believe. There were too many people there for me to meet them all.
Lotus Massage and The Food Conspiracy Co-op hosted offering a great venue and wonderful snacks.
Tucson Green Times was there and has recognized LFA for it's good work in the community.
Here is another environment that seems recession-proof or at least resistant. Many positive anecdotes from local businesses I have spoken to counterbalance the gloomy national news. Although, there has been national coverage on how green business and local business continue to do well in this unstable economy.
When I first learned about LFA I thought it was a natural fit for a downtown business like ours as well as a networking group that might provide some fortitude against the downturn. That has proved true and we just renewed our annual membership.
We are proud to further support the local businesses in Tucson. They are what make Tucson an interesting place to live and they are the backbone of our local economy.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Walking Downtown
The other day I went for a walk up Congress to Tooley's for a cup of joe. That space is really great. And the java was fabulous.
I decided to continue east from there to check out the construction on the 4th Avenue underpass, the train depot and the renovation of the MacArthur Building. I decided against going into Maynard's Market on account of my previously purchased coffee.
Next time I'll try the coffee at the market. I am very curious about that place. There was a great D-town piece on them and it looks as though they emphasize local products, which means a lot to me.
I navigated the large hole in the ground behind the new Martin Luther King building which is now called One North Fifth. I swing around the beautiful MacArthur Building that Madden Media is renovating and plan to occupy by the summer. That is really exciting. The building has a very interesting history.
Then I went west to 6th Avenue and surveyed the ArtFare block. They have done wonders with those storefronts. There is a charter school, lots of art spaces and Burger City. I would have gone in to see the restaurant but felt rushed to get back to the store.
It was encouraging to see all the things that have happened and are happening in my neighborhood. Honestly, it does not feel like we are in a recession. Perhaps that's because downtown has been in it's own recession for a long time. Well, now it's coming up, inspite or because of the economy as a whole.
I decided to continue east from there to check out the construction on the 4th Avenue underpass, the train depot and the renovation of the MacArthur Building. I decided against going into Maynard's Market on account of my previously purchased coffee.
Next time I'll try the coffee at the market. I am very curious about that place. There was a great D-town piece on them and it looks as though they emphasize local products, which means a lot to me.
I navigated the large hole in the ground behind the new Martin Luther King building which is now called One North Fifth. I swing around the beautiful MacArthur Building that Madden Media is renovating and plan to occupy by the summer. That is really exciting. The building has a very interesting history.
Then I went west to 6th Avenue and surveyed the ArtFare block. They have done wonders with those storefronts. There is a charter school, lots of art spaces and Burger City. I would have gone in to see the restaurant but felt rushed to get back to the store.
It was encouraging to see all the things that have happened and are happening in my neighborhood. Honestly, it does not feel like we are in a recession. Perhaps that's because downtown has been in it's own recession for a long time. Well, now it's coming up, inspite or because of the economy as a whole.
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