When Kim Ross took over Halls Jewellers in Clarinda Street in 2001 her ambition always was to see the historic Parkes landmark through to its century milestone.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This will happen later in the year, but not solely as a jeweller.
Parkes Mensland, owned and operated by Wilbur and Sarah Harris, is set to move into the store at the end of the month with Kim staying on to continue the much valued engraving side of the jewellery business.
Other aspects of the store will remain too, including some jewellery lines.
“I want to put a lid on the many rumours that have been floating around,” Kim said.
“I’m not closing down Hall’s Jewellers and am staying on to work with Wilbur in ensuring the art of engraving remains here in Parkes and is not lost to another town,” Kim said.
“In fact I’m looking forward to not only working with him in making certain this venture works successfully, but to also teach him the engraving profession too.”
“For me it’s a case of simply stepping back from the full-on career that I’ve been involved with during the last 20 years.”
Halls became a hair salon for a brief period after Kim purchased Reflection Jewellers ‘across the road’.
However, the store’s facade has always remained.
This will be the case when Parkes Mensland makes the big move.
The only major change will be in the personnel with Kim saying one staff member is about to venture off on an extensive travelling holiday and the other to also take a long break before returning to look for work.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my staff who have displayed such great loyalty over the years,” Kim said.
“Without their support and that of our wonderful customers the business would not be where it is today.
“Many women have told us how their husbands purchased their engagement ring from Hall’s Jewellers.
“During my time here I’ve had customers put rings and other jewellery on lay-by where I’ve been happy to accept payment of $5 a week in some cases .
“I remember one customer coming in on a weekly basis to pay off his lay-by which took some two-and-a-half-years to finalise.
“That’s the type of custom you can only offer in a country town.
“Now I look forward to the next stage of this historic store - one that both Wilbur, Sarah and I want to work hard at ensuring its success,” Kim said.
In the meantime customers can secure some wonderful bargains with everything in the jewellry store reduced to half price.
