Open All Winter: Henry's Landmark Jeweler on the Boardwalk

ADDRESS: 1236 Boardwalk

PHONE: 609-398-4238 or 800-214-4435

INFO: www.HenrysOC.com; Facebook

OWNERS: Jeff Sherman and Sam Koperwas

YEAR FOUNDED: 1972

EMPLOYEES: Six or so this time of year, more in-season, with teachers and college students returning

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Monday, hours increase to daily in summertime

OTHER STUFF TO KNOW: To celebrate its 40^th anniversary, Henry's is asking Facebook fans to submit slogans. The chosen winner gets a $100 gift certificate.

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Valentine's Day is right around the corner and perhaps nothing says “I love Ocean City” better than a sterling silver beach tag on a bracelet. Or how about a couple of new charms for your sweetheart's Pandora?

on the Boardwalk, the city's exclusive Pandora dealer, is celebrating its 40^th year of providing bling for beachgoers.

Open year-round, Henry's caters to locals and visitors alike — clients who enjoy perusing the beautiful gold, silver, diamond and other sparkling jewels in many glistening glass cases. It's a casual atmosphere, purposely non-intimidating.

“We're fun and we have great customer service,”says Nina Camburn-Brown, manager and diamond specialist.

On a recent bright sunshiny day, Henry's is gorgeous inside and out — its doors are open wide to the boardwalk, blue sky and ocean.

“We love it. Who could beat this view?” Camburn-Brown asks, rhetorically.

Jeff Sherman and Sam Koperwas, friends since Little League, founded Henry's — named for the cigar store Indian still standing at the entrance — after each threw in $5,000. They hoped to sell cool jewelry and clothes and — as the store website notes in a funny account — knew little about what they were getting into.

“But the two friends had a plan,” the website reads. “Put out quality stuff at a reasonable price, back it up with good service, underpay the sales staff, and their little dream shop could eventually earn the confidence of Ocean City's return customers ... and maybe even turn a profit.”

Apparently, their admittedly half-cocked plan panned out and Henry's is now a bonafide landmark. In addition to jewelry, Henry's also sells nautical décor, Ocean City sweatshirts and the like. A full-time jeweler is on premise for repairs. Ear piercings are popular in the summertime.

Camburn-Brown says she particularly loves selling diamond rings — hint, hint to you guys out there. The store has a large bridal collection and gifts for bridal parties.

Several employees are former customers the owners recruited. And why not? There's something to be said about working in a place surrounded by beauty.

“People come here and never leave,” Camburn-Brown laughed.

The bad news is, the sterling silver beach tag jewelry, though $199.99, won't get you access to the beach. But it will look stunning with your bikini.