If you ever fear for the future of family-owned multi-brand watch and jewelry retailers in the United States, a day with the Udells will reassure you that their passion, connections and attention to every detail when it comes to customers will always be in demand.
Moving with the times has been critical. London Jewelers was founded by Charles London as a clock and watchmaking shop in Glen Cove on the north shore of Long Island, New York, in 1926.
Two generations later, Candy and Mark Udell took over the running of the company in the 1980s.
They identified early on that Swiss watch brands had the potential to take them to a different level and are now helped in that mission by their children, Randi and Scott, and nephew Zach.
London Jewelers’ flagship in the ultra-affluent Manhasset enclave on Long Island is an emporium of the greatest watch and jewelry brands on the planet: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, to name just a few.
Retailers like London Jewelers are constantly evolving, and the company’s latest expansion is into branded watch boutiques.
The Udells opened a Rolex boutique in The Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, New Jersey, late last year.
“Representing the Crown is the greatest honor that can be achieved in this industry. After being a Rolex partner for over 40 years, we are so proud to be taking this step with the brand and securing the future for our next generation,” Candy says.
Before the end of 2022, the family will unveil its first London Jewelers store in New Jersey, again in The Mall at Short Hills.
“We will have the honor of opening a fully branded Patek Philippe shop in this location,” Candy adds.
“Patek is another long-standing relationship, and their family business shares the same values as ours. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
Friends and associates of the Udells know that eating together plays a big part in their lives, with customers and watch brand reps regularly enjoying business meetings with cakes baked by Candy. “We’re a family of foodies,” she shares.
“We like to shop for ingredients, grow vegetables, cook and eat together. We also love to travel as a family — even after working together in the stores all day.”
Candy is also passionate about animal welfare, and dedicates time and finances to her Rescue Paw Foundation, which gives grants to no-kill shelters, national and international rescue missions, providers of spay and neuter services, and humane education programs. To date, her work has saved the lives of more than 10,000 at-risk dogs and helped place them into
forever homes.
WATCHPRO USA HOT 100 SPONSORS
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