If it were not for the steady drumbeat of dour economic news, a jewelry store giving away Valentine’s Day necklaces could be dismissed as a publicity stunt.
But Collierville store owner Cathy Robins said Thursday that the idea of offering 100 free tiffany jewelry silver necklaces to people who have lost their jobs or their homes to foreclosure just seemed like a nice thing to do.
“I think a lot of people are really hurting right now and it’s just something to kind of cheer them up,” Robins said.
Robins Jewelry, which she and her husband, Dennis, have owned for 22 years, is one of four dozen outlets nationwide making the offer.
They are all members of the Independent Jewelers Organization, an 800-member buying group based in Norwalk, Conn.
In Olive Branch, Master Jewelers joined in the giving and had laid-off workers waiting Wednesday morning in the parking lot on Crumpler Boulevard.
The idea began with one store, Fox Fine Jewelry, in Ventura, Calif., said Jeff Roberts, president of the jewelers organization.
“I think everybody is looking for a little positive, upbeat news,” Roberts said.
The necklaces would sell for up to $99, but may cost store owners roughly $35 to $40, plus packaging, he said.
For those seeking necklaces, identification and proof of job loss or home tiffany key rings are requested.
Robins said the Collierville store began the offer this week and spread the word by asking customers to do so. The store still had dozens to give away.
“It’s not a bailout,” she said, laughing. “We just thought it was kind of a nice thing to do.”
‘A NICE THING TO DO’
–What: Valentine’s Day giveaway of 100 necklaces to people who have lost their jobs or their homes to foreclosure
–Where: Robins Jewelry, 610 West Poplar, Collierville, in the City Center tiffany necklaces center facing the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot.
–When: Today and Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free jewelry to jobless, foreclosed
If it were not for the steady drumbeat of dour economic news, a jewelry store giving away Valentine’s Day necklaces could be dismissed as a publicity stunt.
But Collierville store owner Cathy Robins said Thursday that the idea of offering 100 free tiffany jewelry silver necklaces to people who have lost their jobs or their homes to foreclosure just seemed like a nice thing to do.
“I think a lot of people are really hurting right now and it’s just something to kind of cheer them up,” Robins said.
Robins Jewelry, which she and her husband, Dennis, have owned for 22 years, is one of four dozen outlets nationwide making the offer.
They are all members of the Independent Jewelers Organization, an 800-member buying group based in Norwalk, Conn.
In Olive Branch, Master Jewelers joined in the giving and had laid-off workers waiting Wednesday morning in the parking lot on Crumpler Boulevard.
The idea began with one store, Fox Fine Jewelry, in Ventura, Calif., said Jeff Roberts, president of the jewelers organization.
“I think everybody is looking for a little positive, upbeat news,” Roberts said.
The necklaces would sell for up to $99, but may cost store owners roughly $35 to $40, plus packaging, he said.
For those seeking necklaces, identification and proof of job loss or home tiffany key rings are requested.
Robins said the Collierville store began the offer this week and spread the word by asking customers to do so. The store still had dozens to give away.
“It’s not a bailout,” she said, laughing. “We just thought it was kind of a nice thing to do.”
‘A NICE THING TO DO’
–What: Valentine’s Day giveaway of 100 necklaces to people who have lost their jobs or their homes to foreclosure
–Where: Robins Jewelry, 610 West Poplar, Collierville, in the City Center tiffany necklaces center facing the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot.
–When: Today and Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.