Brady Jewelers

12/28/2023

Chapter Six - David and Brady Jeweler's commitment to Harvard

In just a few days, 2023 will come to a close, and then David Brady will be celebrating his 50th year working for Brady Jewelers.
In high school, David began spending more time at the store with his mom and dad. He already had a pretty good idea that this is what would be in his future. As his graduation approached, he made up his mind. David would be attending Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois.
David's studies there specialized in watch and clock repair, jewelry design, casting, construction and engraving. While at Gem City College, David also developed lasting friendships with other jewelers throughout the country.
When David returned to Harvard, his father Dick hired him as Brady Jeweler's designer and repairman. Already, Dick had greater plans for Brady Jewelers. He knew they needed a larger and permanent location for the business. He had purchased the building at 53 N Ayer, but the tenants there would remain until remodeling could commence. In April of 1975, the grand opening at the new location took place with David serving as a valuable asset and partner to the business.
In 1982, David purchased the business from his parents. David, his wife Kathi and their family have always felt that the Harvard community was a part of their blood. David has served as President of the Harvard Chamber of Commerce, president and board member of the Harvard Wrestling Club, a member of the Booster Club, and longtime member and crew leader of the football chain gang. He also served on the City's Planning and Zoning commission, and also on the Board of Education for St. Joseph's Catholic School. David and Kathi are both member of the Harvard Moose.
As a member of the Harvard Jaycees, he participated and chaired many projects to benefit Harvard, such as sandbox fill, construction of playground equipment, Big Wheel races, Children's Parade for Milk Day, Easter Egg Hunts, Paper drives, Bear/Packer raffles, and cooperated with the Rotary to host Antique Car Shows. David served as Jaycee President on the local level, and also filled offices at the regional and state levels as well.
Kathi was the founding president of Women for Harvard, and a Worthy Matron for the Harvard Chapter of Order of Eastern Star.
David and Kathi's business education continued all during this time as well. Both studied with GIA, Gemological Institue of America in Diamonds, Colored Stones. Jewelry Repair, Jewelry Marketing, Pearls and Pearl and bead stringing. In addition. studies in Business from MCC.
Next week: Proud of our business accomplishments, and excited about our future.

12/23/2023

Merry Christmas to all your friends and family. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Brady Jewelers will be open tomorrow from 10am-2pm, and closed all day Christmas Day.

12/19/2023

Stocking stuffers $5. Ea.

12/14/2023

Chapter Five: The early Brady Jewelers with Dick and Hanna.
Dick Brady had followed his family members' career paths from farming to railroading, but his next step into business on Ayer Street wasn't such a big leap. His mother Mary had spent many years first owning bakeries in Walworth and Fontana, then another in Harvard at 28 N. Ayer. Eventually she sold her bakery and equipment to another bakery business in Woodstock. She then opened a coffee shop downtown that catered mostly to train passengers. Mary specialized in boxed lunches for the crews working on the railroad.
In 1950 she purchased a cider mill, gas station and a very large apple orchard East of Harvard on 173. Mary opened Brady's Bar in 1950, and in 1959 sold it to a budding pizza place called Red's Pizza.
So as you can see, Dick was no stranger to the retail life, but he did appreciate and welcome Russell Griffith's guidance in the early days of Brady Jewelers. Dick opened up at 105 W. Front Street offering his clock and watchmaking services, with tabletop, musical instrument and hearing aid sidelines. This was a pretty small store space as you can see by the picture above, but it was a pretty good place to start.
Retail space in downtown Harvard was at a premium in the late 1960's, so Dick and Hanna did some moving around downtown to find the perfect spot. in 1967 the store moved to 18 N. Ayer and in 1969 moved to 69 N. Ayer. But still they didn't own their retail space. Finally a building came up at 53 N. Ayer, where we are now. Baird's Confectionary was the tenant there. Perhaps you remember stories of the soda fountain? Baird's originally started as a pharmacy, and even now, you can look up underneath our Brady Jewelers sign at 53 N. Ayer, and see part of a stained glass storefront running the entire width of the building that says "Pharmacy".
Brady Jewelers' opened in their permanent location at 53 N Ayer in April, 1975. Dick and his wife Hanna were happy to have the added space for their business. Dick was also a Certified Railroad Watch Inspector. That brought members of train crews from all over for his services because back then if you worked for the railroad, you had to have a timepiece in tip top shape and running in sync with certified railroad time.
Dick and Hanna were members of the Illinois Jewelers Association and enjoyed their relationships with other jewelers around the state.
In 1975 the business also made a big step forward when Dick hired his son, David as a Jewelry Designer and on-site jewelry repairman.
Next week: David begins his story with Brady Jewelers.

12/13/2023

Some really good things come in small packages...from Brady Jewelers of course.

12/11/2023

Drip...on sale for you.

12/07/2023

12/07/2023

Chapter Four - Dick Brady's path to the creation of Brady Jewelers in Harvard, and...how are these two photos related to that?

It was always Dick's dream to be a railroad engineer, like his father before him. But, as he finished up high school, the Korean war was threatening. Dick heard the call and joined the army. He told us the story that while enlisting, he was asked, "What would you like to do in the Army?" Well of course he was excited to tell them he wanted to be an engineer! By the time he was signed up for the engineering corps he realized too late that what he thought an engineer did and what the Army thought were two different things!
He soon found himself learning to search out and diffuse land mines in different ways. Dangerous work as his small troop had a lot of work ahead of them, many times right under the noses of the same people who laid the mines in the first place.
Unfortunately, Dick didn't come out of the conflict unscathed. He was wounded twice. In fact, one of the Purple Heart medals that he received was presented to him directly from Gen. Eisenhower himself. He was awarded the Bronze star and another medal was presented by the Korean government for his service.
Back home on US soil, Dick got his wish and started as a fireman on a railroad crew. He worked himself up to his dream job and became an Engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. He ran commuter trains for many years from the Harvard station into Chicago and many will remember him hanging out the window waving to the passengers as they came and went.
But what these two events have in common is that after the stress and injuries from the service and the railroad, Dick was left with lifelong physical challenges. Medical personnel warned that his injuries would cause him additional physical problems in the future and he should look into some line of work that wouldn't require much activity, maybe find something to work with his hands.
He took the advice to heart and began training at DeVry to become a watchmaker.
In April, 1966 the Harvard newspaper reported "Russ Griffith, the little guy who has fixed 10,000 watches is quitting. A younger fellow is buying up what stock he has left and will set up over on W. Brainard St." The transition occurred for the next four months as newspaper ads for "Brady and Griffith Jewelers" were placed every week. Russ Griffith was by Dick's side to teach him the business ropes during that time, and enjoyed Dick's company frequently at the store until Russ's death in 1969.
Next week: Early Brady Jewelers with Dick and his wife Hanna.

12/01/2023

14K White gold love knot necklace set with one 0.15 carat brilliant cut natural diamond. Regularly $799. Retirement Sale priced at $399.50. We will be open tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am until after the parade. Come see us!

11/30/2023

Chapter Three - Griffith Jewelers, and the big Griffith clock.
Russell Griffith came to Harvard in 1912 from Mineral Point Wisconsin to work as a chauffer for Charley Hunt (aka Starline). However, in 1915 it was Ethel Felbeck who caught his eye. They were married that year and in 1921 Russell began as a watchmaker apprentice with his new Father-in-law E.P. Felbeck. He must have progressed quickly because Felbeck took his son-in-law on as a full partner in his jewelry store in 1926. This arrangement was a good fit for the next 20 years until Felbeck began to step back. Russell put his own name on the business and Griffith Jewelry became a Harvard staple. Felbeck continued to help out at Griffiths until his death in 1955.
"The Griffith Outdoor Clock" - In 1918 E. P. Felbeck purchased a handmade one-of-a-kind clock that kept downtown patrons on time for the next 33 years. This large outdoor clock stood outside both Fellbeck's and Griffith Jewelry in three different locations. The clock was quite unique in the fact that it had no mechanical movement inside the clock, but instead the hands of the clock were run by signals from a master clock inside the nearby store.
The clock's last location was outside Griffith Jewelry on Brainard street. In the early morning of November 27, 1951 a delivery truck skidded up onto the sidewalk and into the clock, nearly toppling it over. It continued working even after the accident, although the supports and case of the clock were badly damaged. Although both Griffith and Felbeck, both master clock repairmen, attended to the clock, eventually it had to be permanently retired.
Next: The Brady family enters the picture. Dick Brady's journey to becoming a jeweler in Harvard.

11/29/2023

SANTA BABY...One more thing, a ring from BRADY JEWELERS Retirement sale! This solitaire natural diamond is regularly $2999. Now $1499. Come see!

11/27/2023