Greensburg jeweler resizes, polishes storefront
Downtown Greensburg’s business district just got another jewel.
With the completion of the Beeghly and Co. Jewelers’ expansion project, the 400 block of South Main Street has a gleaming new building instead of two old brick buildings.
Beeghly is showing off its new addition during a two-day grand re-opening party, which continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The family-owned business announced in January it was buying the YMCA buildings next door and doubling the size of the store, which has been at 401 S. Main St. since 1997. The buildings were demolished in July.
“We’ve been very fortunate to grow consistently, but we were on top of each other,” said company President Brian Beeghly.
The project allowed the business to build a 1,500-square-foot addition, complete with a basement for storage, and to increase its sales floor by 350 square feet. The new space includes a horological lab and a gemological lab, both of which can be seen by customers through glass as they walk into the store.
“People get to watch what we do and ask questions,” Beeghly said.
“It’s about engaging with the public,” said his wife, Chief Financial Officer Amy Beeghly. “People are looking for an experience, not just buying a product.”
The sign that greets patrons at the door — “The Maker Experience” — is meant to highlight the work of the store’s 15 employees as artisans and craftsmen, she said. A showcase at the entrance contains pictures of the store’s four goldsmiths and states “Meet Our Makers.”
“We’re blessed with a very talented staff,” Brian Beeghly said.
One of those employees, Mark Sechler, has been with Beeghly for 35 years and is now a partner in the business. A goldsmith and watchmaker, he started right out of high school with an apprenticeship at Beeghly’s Somerset store.
“It’s one of those rare jobs where experience is the best teacher,” Sechler said.
Brian Beeghly credited the city of Greensburg, general contractor Vince Building Co. and the subcontractors for making the project run smoothly.
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