Diamond Anniversary Milestone For Esteemed East Windsor Jewelers

EAST WINDSOR, CT — Stanley Szwed learned how to repair watches while serving overseas as a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft mechanic during World War II. Upon leaving the service, he opened a tiny watch repair business on Main Street in Windsor Locks in 1946, and before long, he and his wife Alice began selling jewelry and moved into a larger store at 154 Main.

Three-quarters of a century later, Swede's Jewelers is still thriving in the Geissler's Plaza in East Windsor, with three generations of the founders' family members active in the business. This year, the Szwed family has achieved a rare milestone: 75 years in business, which is, appropriately, the diamond anniversary.

From its humble beginnings - "It was almost the width of a door," co-owner Robert Szwed says - Swede's has become one of the longest-tenured and honored jewelry businesses in all of New England. It is an active member of the prestigious American Gem Society, whose members are trained, ethical jewelers in the U.S. and Canada who have pledged to vigilantly protect the buying public. Stan Szwed Jr. served as president of the Connecticut Guild of the American Gem Society, and he and Robert are certified gemologists who are tested annually to renew that certification.

Stanley and Alice had eight children within 10 years, so they began selling other items such as luggage, dishwashers and washing machines in addition to jewelry. They also opened other stores in Enfield, Middletown and Agawam, Mass., but those locations were not nearly as successful as the Windsor Locks home base.

"The other stores would do well on the days my dad was there, but he was running himself thin with four places," Robert Szwed said during a visit this week from Patch. "Unfortunately, the kids weren't old enough yet to help out."

After consolidating all inventory into a single Windsor Locks location, the first child to join the business was Elaine Ward, who was taught how to engrave jewelry by her dad. Stan Jr. came on board after college, then other siblings came in and out before youngest son Robert got involved shortly after the store moved to East Windsor.

Redevelopment of Main Street, in which every storefront building north of Dexter Plaza was demolished, prompted the move across the Connecticut River into a former card shop in 1974.

"My father didn't agree with it," Robert said. "He said [the Windsor Locks] building could stand another 200 years."

Nearly half a century after the move, Swede's is still going strong. One of the keys to its success is the fact customers are served by family, and all work is done on the premises.

"We do all our jewelry work here, we don't send anything out," Robert said.

Stan and Robert's sister, Ali Calopietro, works at the store a few days a week. Amy Wentworth, Robert's niece, "will hopefully take over the business," her uncle said. Gabriella Szwed, Amy's niece, is also very active in the business.

Stanley and Alice Szwed both lived long, successful lives, traveled the world for jewelry conventions, and enjoyed 64 years of marriage. Stanley died Sept. 4, 2011 at 91, and Alice passed away Dec. 16, 2012 at 92.

They assuredly can rest easy, knowing the business they started from scratch remains in the capable hands of a second, third and now fourth generation of family.

To register for free Windsor Locks-East Windsor news alerts and more, click here.