www.SanTanSun.com
Business Connie’s Jewelry celebrates 10 years by David M. Brown
Connie’s Jewelry Gallery in Chandler is a gem. Celebrating 10 years this September, Connie and Richard Finkbeiner’s full- service gallery sells diamonds, color stones, inlays, gold, pearls with diamonds, sterling silver, baby gifts, charms, watches, a girls’ jewelry line and gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and other events. In addition, the couple repairs jewelry and offers clock sales and repair, ear piercing, engraving and custom creations.
“We design our work to enhance our customers’ life celebrations, hand-drawn, hand-carved and completely handmade,” says Connie, who oversees jewelry sales, watches and accounting, while Richard is responsible for clock service and sales as well as marketing.
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TIMELESS: Connie and Richard Finkbeiner sell and service clocks and other time pieces at their Southern Chandler location.
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EXPERT REPAIR: Richard Finkbeiner, co-owner of Connie’s Jewelry in Chandler, is a certified grandfather clock repairman.
2009. He had trained in Zeeland, MI, for clock repair and received certification from the Howard Miller Company in 2006. In 2000, they started their business with a Small Business Administration loan, liens on their home and car, savings money and a loan from family members. Everything was in place when they opened Sept. 9, 2001 – two days before the terrorist attacks. “Our planning could not have been better, and our timing could not have been worse,” Richard recalls.
But, after 10 years of hard work, the difference has been experience and service, they say. “Here, nine out of 10 times you will talk to Connie,” Richard says.
“She’s honest, she’s been in the business for more than 25 years, has her name on the door and she lives in the community.
“Our custom work is not computer generated,” she says. “You will never see another woman wearing the same piece of jewelry. The wax mold is never used again, like a hand-painted picture.”
Richard moved to Arizona as a child from Greenville, PA, between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Connie is a native Arizonan born in Florence and
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STEADY HANDS: Richard Finkbeiner concentrates on repairs.
a Chandler resident since 1996. They met at Mesa Community College and have two grown children, a grandson and a 9-month-old granddaughter. After working early in her career for a title business, Connie started part time at a local jewelry store, becoming manager and earning multiple jewelry certifications. She moved on to another shop, where Richard joined her part time until late
BBQ Company draws for ‘finger-lickin’ feast
Follow the aroma of baby back ribs, pulled pork, southern fried catfish and sweet potato pie to the Chandler BBQ Company, 2040 Alma School Rd., Chandler, in the Shoppes at Clemente Ranch for a chance to win a barbecue party. Enter Chandler BBQ’s customer appreciation sweepstakes for a free catered meal for up to 20 guests by making a food purchase now through Aug. 31. Drop the signed receipt with contact information in the ticket box provided for a drawing to take place at 3 p.m. Aug. 31. The winner of the drawing will be notified by phone or email the day of the drawing.
Chandler BBQ offers a family friendly, cozy environment and serves the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Check out the company’s website for more information at
www.chandlerbbqco.com.
“Connie’s not the salesperson who was selling pizza two months ago, renting cars four months ago or is trying to be the top-commission salesperson for the quarter,” he adds, noting that the SanTan Sun News voted the business Best Jeweler in Southern Chandler for 2004 and 2005.
People also appreciate this is a walk-in business and not a website where you may or may not receive, Richard notes, “the box of chocolates you thought you were buying.”
Satisfied customers are what make the store owners happiest of all. “When our customer says she loves the ring, or he says the repaired clock sounds just like it did at Grandma’s house, or the engraving turned out better than I thought, or the necklace is beautiful and looks better than when I bought it.” Visit Connie’s Jewelry Gallery at 2040 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 480-883-3320.
David M. Brown is a writer living in Mesa.
August 6 - 19, 2011
13
Foreign languages at CGCC give edge for jobs
Arabic, Chinese, Navajo, Italian, Japanese, French and Spanish are just a few of the foreign language courses offered this fall at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and students and community members who take them can increase their competitive edge in the job market, expand their global awareness and learn about other cultures.
The classes are available on campus, online or in a hybrid format - partially on-campus and partially online. CGCC is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd. in Chandler.
Fall classes begin Aug. 20. For a schedule of classes or to register online, visit
www.my.maricopa.edu, or call 480-732-7320.
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