Oakwood jeweler to close after 78 years

The Wm. Rife Co. Jewelers store at 2411 Far Hills Ave. in the Shops of Oakwood is calling it quits after 78 years in business.

Third-generation owners Sheryl Rife Merker and Christine Rife Depew said this morning that increased competition from other jewelry stores and from jewelry-sales web sites on the Internet, along with their desire to retire, were the primary factors in their decision.

“It’s very sad — it’s been a part of our whole lives,” Depew said. “We will miss the multiple generations of customers we served and the nice friends we made.”

The store has launched a going-out-of-business sale, and its final days will come in late spring or early summer, depending on how long inventory is available, Merker said. Jewelry is marked down 20-60 percent, and gift items are 15-50 percent off.

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