Grunwald Jewelers Going Out of Business

Another landmark Geneva business near the corner of State Street and Third Street is going out of business.

, a mainstay in Geneva for more than three decades, has a going-out-of-business sign in its window at 12 S. Third St. today (Monday, Feb. 13).

I stopped in to find out more, but of course I forgot that they're closed on Mondays. The store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Grunwald's joins a list of prominent, longtime Geneva businesses that have said goodbye, including the Merra-Lee shops just across the street.

Three of the four corners at the intersection of State Street and Third Street are either vacant or available for lease at this time: Merra-Lee at the southeast corner, the former bank building at 302 West on the southwest corner and the front part of the Erday building on the northwest corner.

I remembered D. Grunwald Fine Jewelry as being a regular advertiser in The Republican when I was an editor in the 1980s and '90s, and just for the fun of it, I grabbed some papers from 1998 and 1999 to take a look. Sure enough, there was the Grunwald ad, steadfast and elegant in a premium spot on Page 11.

The storefront then looks much the same as it does today, with the D. Grunwald script logo and "Antique & Modern Jewelry" subtext in the front window.

Today, there are pink signs in the window, as well, which say simply, "Going Out of Business," and "Sale."

Change is inevitable in any downtown, and it's healthy for the most part, but it's always sad to see a family business saying goodbye.

An ad in the Chamber of Commerce e-blast this week includes a message to shop Geneva merchants on Valentine's Day and includes this text:

"For over 35 years, this family owned jewelry shop has helped Fox Valley residents pop the big question, celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or surprise a lucky loved one. Find D. Grunwald Fine Jewelers at 12 S. Third St.; 630-232-0570."