A local jewelry staple is closing its doors after 100 years. The Butterfield family has been a part of engagements, weddings and other milestones for 97 years.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A local jewelry staple is closing its doors after 100 years. The Butterfield family has been a part of engagements, weddings and other milestones for 97 years.
“We’ve decided the word ‘bittersweet’ fits really, really well,” Amy Butterfield said.
But now, it’s time for the Butterfields of Butterfield Jewelers to have their own milestone: retirement.
“This is a family-owned business. This is the third generation that has run the store,” Butterfield said.
Amy Butterfield and her three siblings co-own the store now, but it all started with their grandfather, Ernest Butterfield, back in 1928. Then Amy’s father, Ernest Jr., took things over in 1954.
“It feels a little sad, but I think my dad would think this is, like the best party he’s seen ever. My dad loved a party,” Amy Butterfield said. “We wanted to end on our terms and not have the store go into ownership of a non-family member. And so we’re having a great kind of party to thank our customers for so many years.”
And the party favor—is up to 70% off the entire store. The community is showing up, but not just for the sales but to say thank you themselves.
“We say we’re the third generation, but we have three generations of customers that come in,” Amy Butterfield said.
That includes customers like Cindy and Kerry Davis, who have been coming to Butterfield for over 35 years.
“We came and got my engagement ring here and my wedding band. And then on our 25th anniversary, we came and got an anniversary ring,” Cindy Davis said.
They say the biggest draw, was the family-friendly service.
“I’m just thankful that they’ve been around for a long time and that they’ve been part of our family,” Cindy Davis said.
And the Butterfields know, even though the store is closing, their legacy is as strong as their diamonds in Albuquerque.
“Every piece of jewelry that leaves here, it’s from Butterfield Jewelers, and they’ll always have a little piece of Butterfield Jewelers with them,” Amy Butterfield said.
The Butterfields say they’ll keep the store open until everything, including the cases and furniture, is sold.
By the way, Valentine’s Day is this Saturday if you still need to buy that special someone a present.
