Local gem retiring

Heller’s Jewelry, 409 S. Main, in Rochester will be closing by the end of the year after 55 years in business at its downtown Rochester location. George Heller, who took over the business in 1980 from his parents, Ernest and Violet Heller, said he is finally following through on his “threats to retire” and will be closing the shop by year’s end. The store, he said, will remain open through the holiday shopping season. The jewelry store was unique in that both George and his father were master watchmakers, offering in-store repairs and their own brand of watches, as well as clocks and jewelry. Ernest and Violet Heller purchased the former Lamoreaux Jewelry Store in 1961 and the business has run in the same location since. Heller said he had been considering retirement since his father passed in the early 1990s. Heller will retain ownership of the building and said he is in the process of securing a new tenant. A downtown Rochester official said the store is expected to undergo a full renovation in 2018 for a possible artisan market. Heller said more information would be available as agreements are finalized.

Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.