Background of
Southgate Plaza Jewelers
Carl J. Scaglione came to a crossroads in his life in 1971. He had always been a successful salesman but he found that he desperately wanted to have his very own business. As he was a family man of age 52, it would not be an easy undertaking. He was living in a small town in Chautauqua County that would probably not be able to support the business that he envisioned so he decided to look elsewhere.
His search led him to Southgate Plaza in West Seneca and he found the ideal place. He made some plans and came out of his meeting with plaza owner Carl Lambein energized and ready to start as ”Southgate Plaza Jewelers”. It had long been his dream to have his own jewelry business. Although he had been a car salesman and sales manager for nearly 20 years he longed to return to the business where he began his long career in sales: jewelry. He had started in jewelry sales and store management in his hometown after returning injured from his duties in WWII. He moved into automobile sales after he married his beloved, Marie, and had a family that eventually grew to include six children.
He wanted a friendly business that catered to the needs of the average person. He understood all too well that while new exciting trends brought people in to look, what they most often wanted were the very traditional things that they grew up with! He also felt that reliable, competent service was key to having a customer base that would return again and again. And, the merchandise offered would have to be of high quality for a reasonable price.
In the early 1980’s Carl brought in his daughter, Mary, as part-time sales help while she was a student at UB. Carl nurtured her growing interest in the jewelry business providing mentoring until Mary eventually took over in the 1990’s. Not one to retire, Carl still came to the store nearly every day to visit with customers and provide help and comic relief to the staff.
Now, 42 years later in 2013, we still strive to meet the same needs of our customers! We take pride in offering affordable jewelry and gifts of lasting value. During this trying time of recession and crazy metal prices we have adjusted our inventory mix to appeal not only to the tastes of our customers but to their wallets as well! Our staff is friendly, reliable and competent and we are grateful to have had them with us for many years. We still offer expert repairs, quality merchandise, and a cheerful place to just stop in and say hello!
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