Bejeweled Rye: Michael Woodrow of R & M Woodrow Jewelers

Bejeweled Rye is an occasional feature to meet the owners and managers of local jewelry stores. These folks make us look good everyday.

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Today, we meet Michael Woodrow of R & M Woodrow Jewelers.

Your Name: Michael Woodrow

Your Role: Owner and Manager

Your Store: R & M Woodrow Jewelers

MyRye.com: Describe yourself in one word.

Woodrow: Friendly 

How long has your business been in Rye, and where are you located?

Woodrow: 39 years.  21 Purchase Street, Rye

Why did you originally choose Rye for your business?

Woodrow: My brother and I grew up in Rye Brook and Rye has always been a nice town. We always wanted to have a business here.

Why did you choose the jewelry business? 

Woodrow: We had an uncle and grandfather in the jewelry business in Yonkers, New York in the early 1900s.

Where have you worked previously?

Woodrow: I’ve always worked here – this is the only place I’ve ever worked.

Describe your customers. 

Woodrow: 80% of our customers are from Rye and the other 20% will usually be from other places in Westchester County – Rye Brook, Harrison, and Mamaroneck.

Describe the environment in your store.  

Woodrow: Friendly. No pressure, friendly, and our goal is that people are happy with their experience shopping here.

Tell us about the array of products you offer.

Woodrow: We offer all types of jewelry, primarily for women, not so much for men. But designer jewel lines. Roberto Coin is our biggest brand. And then we sell watches. We sell engagement rings. We sell crystal, so gifts, giftware… We’ve put a collection of the finest brands in the world in this store, so it’s like a little Madison or Fifth Avenue. What that means is Lalique, Baccarat, Aaron Basha, and Roberto Coin.​​​​ These are all brands that are in Madison Avenue stores – and you can come in here and get the same stuff. Everything in here is branded.

What do customers come to you for the most often? 

Woodrow: Gift-giving and holidays. Mother’s day, Father’s day, graduations, Christmas, and Valentine’s day are all very busy times, and then we also do a lot of repair work. We can do custom work, but primarily we’re a branded store. Less and less of watch repair now. The watch business has just changed a lot; people aren’t wearing watches because they have cell phones, or they have apple watches – and we don’t work on those.

How did you come to start your business? 

Woodrow: My brother and I always wanted to have a business together. Because our family was in the jewelry business, one thing led to another and we started right here in Rye in 1985. 39 years I’ve been here every day –  and so has Rob – for the last four decades. 

Tell us about your staff:

Woodrow: Most of the people that work have been here for anywhere from 10 to 30 years. We don’t have a lot of turnover. So, it is like a family business; even the people that work here are like family.

What are the three most important things people should do to take care of their jewelry?

Woodrow: Periodically check it to make sure the watches are working well, have all pieces cleaned. And just wear it. I mean, that’s the best thing.

What’s it like coming into Woodrow Jewelers?

Woodrow: We’re very big on greeting people by name when we can. If we know people, it’s a very friendly atmosphere. People are greeted, people know us, they know our families, and it’s a lot of the same people. We know most of the people that are coming in and out of the store.

Thank you Michael!