Philips Jewelers To Close After More Than 30 Years at Poway Location

As the economy continues to take a dive, businesses big and small are being forced to shut their doors. But that’s not the case for , a staple in Poway for 31 years.

“I’m retiring,” said owner and master goldsmith Doug Philips. “It’s not a financial deal.”

He says he decided on a liquidation sale rather than selling the business “because we all know that banks don’t loan money at this time, and what I’m doing will be better for my employees.”

Tim Dooley, a master goldsmith who joined the team in 2004, will continue to work out of the same location as another company.

Philips remains tight-lipped about his retirement plans, but the Poway resident of 26 years says he’ll continue to make jewelry.

“I’ll still have a studio where I will be doing some business more for fun and for select people,” he said.

Having been in the industry since 1971, Philips says the concept of customer loyalty has been the biggest change. He says consumers often don’t realize a neighborhood business is “a foundation … it goes past one sale.”

“You want them to treat you like a friend; you want them to be loyal to you,” Philips said.

The store will officially close on Dec. 31.