H.L. Art co-owner retires after 44 years helping customers, downtown revival
NEWARK − Steve Ehret, a fixture at H.L. Art Jewelers for 44 years, heads into retirement after helping thousands with their jewelry purchases and repairs, and playing a role in downtown Newark's restoration.
Co-owner of the jeweler for 18 years, Ehret started work at H.L. Art Jewelers in 1978 and never left, doing appraisals, repairs, sales and customer service.
The 1975 Newark Catholic High School graduate attended Ashland College for two years, then came home to work at the H.L. Art store in Southgate Shopping Center. After a year there, he moved to the downtown location at 20 N. Park Place.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I liked working with my hands,” Ehret said. “I wanted to get involved in business. The assistant manager position came open and I interviewed with (owner) Fred Wollins.
“I like creating jewelry. We specialize in custom design. I create jewelry, repair jewelry and repair watches.”
Wollins, son-in-law of business founder Herman Lawrence Art, retired in 2005 and died in 2011. Art founded the business in 1936 at 18 N. Park Place. The business moved next door to its present location in 1962.
“Fred owned the store and he got sick and told us we’d always have a job,” current co-owner Debbie Crouch said. “He offered us a deal to buy the store from him.”
The five employees who purchased the business from Wollins were Ehret, Crouch, Ruth Ann Gallwitz, Marcia Stickdorn and Rusty Hess. Gallwitz has since retired.
Ehret retired last week, but filled in Monday for Crouch when her daughter had a baby. Crouch said Ehret is definitely retired but he could show up again.
“I’m sure if we got into a pickle, he’d definitely help us,” Crouch said. “He’s been a good asset to the company. He’s going to be missed by the customers.”
The business remodeled the exterior in 2012, making a dramatic improvement that received plenty of attention and helped in the downtown revitalization process.
“I feel like we were really a catalyst to get the whole (revitalization) thing started," Ehret said. “I think it’s fantastic to see what’s going on, from where it was dying. I guess it never really died, but slowed down, and it’s come back. Newark has a bright future.”
Ehret twice served as president of downtown organizations and also of Newark Rotary Club. He's also a trustee of Newark Maennerchor.
In recent years, the business managed through the COVID pandemic and years of downtown construction.
“We were able to survive the COVID years," Ehret said. "We’re seeing a little bit more normalcy, still some construction downtown. We always kept track of the (sales) numbers and put an asterisk for the construction years. But our customers found us. We’ve been blessed.”
Hess, who has worked there 30 years, said, “He really loves his job and loves tinkering with watches. He’s done a lot for downtown and seen a lot of stuff come and go.”
Since 1936, H. L. Art Jewelers has remained in business despite the changes in leadership. That is once again the plan.
"We built this business on integrity, loyalty and personal service," Crouch said. "Caring about our customers as if they are family. Even in Steve’s absence we will continue to bring high quality, affordable merchandise and the personal service our customers know and trust."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: H.L. Art co-owner retires after 44 years helping customers, downtown
