As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
Fund Launched for Maryland Store Damaged in Flood
Craig Coyne Jewelers was one of the Ellicott City, Md. businesses severely damaged when six inches of rain fell in two hours and caused a flash flood Saturday.
Ellicott City, Md.--The community is coming together to help a Maryland jeweler whose store was severely damaged in a recent flash flood.
On Saturday, six inches of rain fell in just two hours in Ellicott City to create what the National Weather Service called an “off-the-charts” event--a flash flood that resulted in two deaths, many demolished businesses and about 120 swift-water rescues.
One of those businesses was Craig Coyne Jewelers on Main Street in downtown Ellicott City. Now, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise funds to help the business get back on its feet.
Lori Gadola from Kelim Jewelry Design is the one who started the fund. She met founder Sam Coyne when the store started carrying her line.
On the GoFundMe page she wrote, “(Sam) has been very generous to various community causes that involve health, hunger, education and domestic violence issues. I feel it is time the community gives back to help him during this very tough time.”
The jewelry store opened in 2000 but had just moved into its location on Main Street in 2013. Before moving in, the entire space was remodeled, a project that took six months to complete and $50,000 to finish the interior.
Now, just a few years later, all of that work has been undone.
Coyne told National Jeweler that he was able to get into the store on Wednesday for the first time since the flood for just 10 minutes to assess the damage.
“I don’t believe anything will be salvageable,” he said.
There’s a tree pinned to the front door inside that was forced over the back deck and through the back door into the store, silt that is “feet thick,” water marks that reach the ceiling and a buckled floor on the second level due to the force of the water, among other things.
According to Coyne, his biggest concern is how long it will take to get the business up and running again. Local officials currently are working on a plan, but there’s no telling how long it could be--months and years both are being thrown around, he added.
More immediately he is concerned about serving customers, which he can’t do until he gets into the vault. Though it’s intact and standing, with all customer jewelry secure inside, it can’t be opened. It requires two keys and a combination, but the keys washed away in the storm.
On the morning before the flood, the store’s server was taken to the first floor to cool down during the heat wave. The back-up hard-drive also was brought to the store and connected to conduct a back-up before opening Sunday, so it was lost in the flood as well.
Though they have a second drive off-premises, the team still will have to rebuild at least seven months of business, Coyne said.
When asked what the funds might be used for, Coyne said that it “really depends on timing.”
If they’re given access to the store soon, it will go toward clean up, freshening up and mold removal. If not, it could help pay the mortgage or the insurance deductible.
Meanwhile, businesses around the jeweler are being demolished. Coyne said that many of the small shops around him already were having trouble competing with e-commerce and he’s not sure how many of them will reopen now.
The Latest
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
The branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
The six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
The highlight of his collection is the coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which could sell for up to $5 million.
The “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
The Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
The Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
It will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.