BIZNOTE: Lauren’s Jewelry, one of Westwood Village’s few indies, will close

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

One of the last remaining independent small businesses at Westwood Village is closing its brick-and-mortar doors. Lauren’s Jewelry, formerly known as Wyatt’s Jewelers, is going online-only. Proprietor Lauren Wiggins already has started promoting a going-out-of-business sale (as noted here) and is now officially announcing her shutdown plan:

It is with a heavy heart that after 5 years of Lauren’s Jewelry, we are closing our store. Lauren and Tyler would like to thank each of our friends, and customers for allowing us to do what we love to do, and being a part of our lives.

Please come in and take advantage of this opportunity to save up to 70% on our entire inventory of diamonds, color stones, and silver jewelry. Come in and enter to win a pair of 1.00ctw diamond earrings.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. -Lauren

It’s been a challenging five years – as noted in this January report, Lauren reported having a collection of seven SPD officer cards from investigations of burglaries and attempted burglaries (and now, add the truck theft to that). Meantime, Lauren tells us she hasn’t set a hard-and-fast closing date yet – the going-out-of-business sale will include a “VIP preview” event next Tuesday through Friday for starters, and she’ll see how things go from there. She bought Wyatt’s Jewelers from previous owners Kirk and Joni Keppler when they decided to move on after 15 years.

Paul May 5, 2024 (1:09 am)

So sad to hear this. Laurens is a jem of a small jewelry store. No pun intended, but a lovely shop with great knowledge and amazing customer service.

Ej May 5, 2024 (1:40 am)

This is what happens when incidents like the ones faced by this business owner are diminished as “just property crimes.” There’s a person behind these property crimes and thefts have a real impact on their livelihoods. Sending my best to these folks.

James May 5, 2024 (6:52 am)

Lauren’s Jewelry and their customer service are both stellar. It’s sad that the brick-and-mortar store will be closing, but I’m glad it will continue online. Their vintage jewelry is absolutely beautiful!

Seattlite May 5, 2024 (7:29 am)

Seattle’s increased crime rate affect small businesses, larger retail chains, citizens who are running errands in their cars or walking on the streets to their destinations. Being truthful about Seattle’s increased crime rate is a starter. The next step is for Seattle’s leaders to create new policies that protect citizens in their communities and neighborhoods. How are Seattle’s leaders doing in correcting Seattle’s increased crime rate? Since Seattle’s leaders were elected to work for you, what grade would you give them in solving Seattle’s increased crime rate…pass or fail?

K May 5, 2024 (8:54 am)

Well, we have rolling library closures and holes in the road a small VW could fall into thanks to the endless increases in police budget, and staffing shortages despite replacing all the supposed “haters” on the city council with police apologists, yet there are still crimes happening all the time. I would give them all a huge fail on ignoring the underlying economic issues that drive crime rates far more than budgets or “hurtful words” towards police. The constant sweeps and harassment of homeless people while kowtowing to neighborhood groups who oppose new zoning rules for housing does nothing but push people into more desperate situations, and we’re going to see more of the same until those issues are acknowledged, and addressed.
Scarlett May 5, 2024 (10:47 am)

Seattlite: Do you really think this is just all about hiring more police officers, stricter judges, toughening up laws or enforcing the laws? Do you really think this calcified and failed approach is going to fix the complete societal and economic deterioration that we are now witnessing, a country that has descended into a Wild West of greed and self-interest and teetering on collapse? Seriously, we are in an existential crisis for the ages. Wake up, people.
- flimflam May 5, 2024 (2:53 pm)
  
  “Do you really think this is just all about hiring more police officers, stricter judges, toughening up laws or enforcing the laws? “ Uh, frankly Scarlett, the things you’ve mentioned would be great. Police staffing has been an issue for a decade – this isn’t a new problem. And yes, if you take criminals off the street they can’t harm anyone because they are literally off the street….
  - K May 5, 2024 (4:27 pm)
    
    Twenty years ago when SPD was fully staffed, per capita crime rates were higher. It’s not the staffing, no matter how much you want it to be.
- Seattlite May 5, 2024 (5:38 pm)
  
  Scarlett: Yes…I believe that law and order is needed in any civilized country. History has proven that societies breakdown when there is a lack of law and order. Chaos, conflict, crime are the result of a lack of law and order. Law and order actually stimulates the economy especially for small businesses. Small business owners don’t have to constantly worry about prolific shoplifters, robberies when there is law and order. Communities thrive when there is law and order.

Wsresident May 5, 2024 (9:02 am)

Such a bummer, they are the only jeweler I will use. I’ve had major issues with the other jewelers in the area and guess I have to hoof it out of west Seattle.

WS4LIFE May 6, 2024 (7:42 am)

Me too, they did such nice work, and the customer service was above and beyond. I am so bummed to hear the news.

ArborRes May 5, 2024 (10:12 am)

Very sorry to hear about the loss of yet another independent business, due to crime. Lauren and her team were immensely helpful to me when I needed jewelry repaired on short notice for a special occasion — and at a very reasonable price. Lauren, I wish you the very best in your online venture, and I will be sure to check it out and spread the word. It does seem that at least some of these break-ins and burglaries are planned and coordinated, which casts doubt on the notion that these are acts of pure desperation. Theft and resale on the illicit market is a job, and it may seem easier with faster cash in hand than having to build a career, learn a skilled trade, or go to college. Seattle’s spirit of permissiveness about crime sends a signal that encourages this practice. The answers are complex and will take a multi-pronged approach, but accountability for crime is one step in that effort.