Gem Of A Jeweler Says Good-Bye, Prepares to Close Shop in January

SOUTHOLD, NY — The day before Thanksgiving, Robert Scott is sitting at his desk at Robert's Jewelers on Main Road in Southold, dreaming of the delicious, big Thanksgiving dinner he's going to cook up for his family, all by himself, next year.

That's just one of the dreams that Scott, who just celebrated his 70th birthday, has had to put on a shelf during the 31 years since he opened his beloved jewelry shop in town, dedicating hours and years to his clients and a business that has long been a bastion of the community.

But now, Scott says, it's time to realize some of those dreams: He recently announced that he'd be retiring, closing his doors for the final time on January 14 at 4 p.m., at which time he'll head next door to Taps & Corks and celebrate a meaningful journey that has represented so much more than just a business.

The news has hit many in the community hard. "They're sad I'm leaving," Scott said. "But they're happy for me, and that makes me happy."

Since first opening his doors on June 19, 1985 at 9 a.m., Scott has served as the epitome of the independent jeweler. A certified gemologist, he not only brings a vast knowledge of the business but the personal touch that many have come to trust when making some of the most important purchases of their lives.

"These are not just customers or clients," Scott said. "Over 31 years, they become friends. Like anybody that comes into my home, I invited them to come in. I don't force them. I make them comfortable and we find out what they want. We don't sell what we have, we present what they want. And if we don't have what they want we strive to make them happy by getting it."

Saying good-bye isn't easy, Scott said, his eyes filling.

"The relationships you get are life lasting. Retiring, it’s a double edged sword. While I'm very happy to be doing something else, I am leaving the best hobby and friends I’ve had."

While his own future plans include travel and possibly consulting work with other jewelers, the future for the shop remains unclear. Scott said he'd love to sell the business to someone to keep the legacy alive, but the person has to be the right fit.

He's seen a number of candidates so far, but none have been the perfect match.

"I refused to entertain people that didn’t have the minimum standard that I think should be used in this location or in this business," Scott said. "The name on the sign is more important to me than the dollars I would get for selling." Of his longtime business, Scott said, "It's me. It is me."

For years, Scott has captivated customers with an annual "Snowfall Madness" contest. This year, as customers flock in to avail themselves of savings of up to 70 percent on all merchandise, Scott said, "This is the biggest contest you could have."

The time is right

The time was right for Scott to retire. "I'm healthy. I have yearnings to be with my friends that go on vacation. I want to take my wife Louse to a destination where I don't have to meet her two days after she's there and leave two days before she goes home. I want to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving."

Next year, he promised, "I'm going to cook the whole Thanksgiving dinner, set everything up, and I don't want any help. I've been wanting to do this for 41 years. And if it doesn't work and the food doesn't taste good, there's always McDonald's." He laughed.

On Christmas, he said, "I want to be able to buy the presents for my family, rather than say, 'Honey, what you bought is good.' I've leaned on my wife a lot and she's stepped up quite a bit, but it's time for me to give back."

The couple has been married for 45 years, since 1971, and Scott yearns to relive moments from the early days when he had precious time to make memories. "For Christmas, we used to take a flatbed farm truck with stake panel sides and fill it up with hay. We'd gather 10 or 12 people, families, and we'd practice Christmas carols and drive around to houses, looking for those that had a light on. The amazement of those people, who weren't expecting anything. I want to recapture that."

For years, Christmas has been spent in the shop, Scott said. "People come in and I hear their stories, I've lived it through them. Now I'm going to live through me."

Future plans

In the weeks after he closes his store, Scott has plans to visit an independent jewelers' organization for a farewell gathering, then has some consulting appointments set up.

The flexibility of consulting, he said, appeals. "I could do what I want, when I want," he said.

And travel is on the must-do list. He hopes to revisit South Africa, where he visited with a jewelers' group in 2006. "It was amazing," he said.

But one thing is certain: Scott's roots will remain deeply entrenched on the North Fork. He lives in Cutchogue, and he plans to keep it that way, said the Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps from March 29, 1967 to December, 1969.

"I will stay here until they enter me into the national cemetery in Calverton," he said. "My roots are here."

Born in Florida, Scott later lived in Wichita, Kansas, as well as Kings Park. He and his wife bought their home in Cutchogue in 1978 and he's made a lifetime commitment to give back to the community, both as a longtime member of the Cutchogue Fire Department and as a member of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce.

Jewelry touches hearts

Anyone who's bought a piece of jewelry from Scott knows it's more than just a business transaction. Scott is a kind and empathetic man who understands the deep meaning a ring or pendant has in a person's life.

"When somebody buys a special piece everyone thinks they're just buying it because they're greedy, and want to have it. They’re not," he said. "It all has a meaning. It’s either a reward for something that they gave up or didn’t have, or something they achieved — or it’s a memory that is rebuilt, to keep a memory alive."

The importance and meaning of jewelry over lifetimes and generations, he said, is powerful. "There's nothing in this store you need," he said. "It doesn't feed you, clothe you, pay your bills. But it's one of the few things that, once you have it, you can have for 40 years. There are very few items you have that will remind you every single day of what you did, where you where, or of where you are going. That's important to me."

He smiled, the smile of a man who has seen decades of delighted brides, proud graduates, couples celebrating milestone anniversaries and customers repairing a precious piece that belonged to a mother or beloved relative, now gone.

"I'm a facilitator for good," he said.

And that message, the meaning behind the jewelry, is something that Scott has understood in his heart, from the beginning.

"I've 'gotten it' since Year One," he said.

When he first started his career, on September 25, 1975, working for another jeweler in Riverhead, Scott said there was a pivotal moment that changed the course of everything in his life.

A couple came in on a Saturday, he said, and the woman loved a particular engagement ring. "He was more nonchalant about the whole thing. She gave it back to me, but instead of putting it back in the case, I said to him, 'Are you going to let this go back in the case, then go home and cry all weekend because it's not on her finger?'" he said.

The young man bought the ring. And the couple are still customers of Scott's today, he said.

But when he went home on that night in 1975, Scott's wife asked him about the ring, about the style and specifics. "I said I didn't know, it was just a diamond ring. I decided right then and there that I had to know everything about everything I was going to sell. I was underpowered."

After that, Scott was certified with the Gemological Institute of America, took courses in pearls and management, security and bookkeeping, and a bench jewelry course, so he could understand how it was repaired.

Despite his years of education, Scott, however, believes a life must be spent learning. "If you're number one, you have no place to go but down. But if you're number two, you have to keep trying. I never want to be number one."

Lessons for life

His father, Scott said, taught him a life lesson that has served him well: "The motto my dad gave me at nine years old, which I think helped me a lot through life, was just three simple words: 'Do no harm.' It all boils down to that. If you live by that, you can do anything in the world you want."

Sale days

As he begins to wind down the business, Scott says there's plenty of beautiful jewelry just waiting to be had at deep discounts of up to 70 percent. Remaining stock includes Swarovski crystal and a special collection of Bulova clocks that are currently 50 percent off.

On Saturday, for Small Business Saturday, Scott will offer a one-day special of 30 percent off all Pandora charms.

As he sees certain special items that've held particular meaning for him leave the shop, and speaks to the customers who have meant so much for decades, Scott realizes saying good-bye is emotional as he heads off into the next chapter of his future.

Scott has a farewell message to his many customers: "It's been an honor to try to do my best to keep their trust in me."