Gipprich Jewelers is celebrating 80 years in business.
The shop, which brands itself as Berks County’s oldest family-owned jeweler, was founded in 1945 by Walter J. Gipprich on Franklin Street in Reading.
He built the business by treating customers like family — a philosophy that has seen Gipprich Jewelers through three generations of family ownership, the jewelry store said in a release.
“Walter and his wife, Patricia, raised 12 children in Shillington, a community that became the cornerstone of their family’s story,” the store said in the release. “Today, siblings Richard and Amy Gipprich proudly carry that legacy forward.”
At Gipprich Jewelers in Shillington are, from left, Amy Gipprich, Cathy Gipprich Yeager and Richard Gipprich. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Amy Gipprich said the store has always been about more than jewelry.
“It’s about connection,” she said in the release. “With our customers, with our community, and with the generations of families who continue to trust us.”
Now on Lancaster Avenue in Shillington, Gipprich continues to blend old world craftsmanship and modern expertise, the store said.
Its team includes four goldsmiths, a gemologist, and an experienced sales and service staff, offering everything from custom designs and engagement rings to jewelry repair and appraisals.
To honor their 80th year in business, Gipprich plans to donate all proceeds from watch battery sales through Dec. 15 to the Greater Mifflin Food Pantry.
The donation is a tribute to the neighborhood that helped shape the Gipprich family, the store said.
“Eighty years is an incredible milestone,” added co-owner Richard Gipprich. “We’re proud to still be here, serving our neighbors and continuing the tradition our parents started — one that’s built on trust, care, and craftsmanship.”
“As Gipprich Jewelers looks ahead to the next generation, one thing remains clear: (Our) roots in the Shillington community run deep, and (our) commitment to serving it shines brighter than ever,” the store said.
Walter and Patricia Gipprich raised 12 children in Shillington, where the store was relocated in 1963. (Courtesy of Gipprich Jewelers)