It’s a family affair at St. John’s jewelers in Ellicott City by Lisa Gueli Regnante – The Baltimore Sun
October 2013
As a young man taking business classes at Franklin & Marshall College on the G.I. Bill, Irwin Farber received sage advice from a favorite professor: “Make your customers love you.”
Today, the 90-year-old Farber attributes this advice to the success of the St. John’s Jewelry store he opened with his bookkeeper wife, 83-year-old Charlotte, in 1973. The store spent nearly 20 years in its original location in St. John’s Plaza before moving across the street on Route 40 in Ellicott City.
“Dad has always had a custom approach to each and every customer and their needs. He’s genuinely interested in their lives,” said Farber’s daughter, Linda Miller, a gemologist, 52, who now owns and operates the store with the help of a cadre of longtime employees.Among the employees are Miller’s two daughters Margaux, 23, and Nicolette, 15, who are the third generation of family members to work at the store.
St. John’s Jewelry held a 40th anniversary celebration earlier this month, and customers gathered to celebrate one of Howard County’s oldest jewelry stores amid the displays of cards and flowers.
