Several weeks ago, a group I belong to was given the opportunity to go visit East Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia. I jumped at the opportunity to go visit with my family for this special Second Saturday for Families Event because I want to become more familiar with this popular city I live so close to. One of my favorite things about this was a chance to meet with small business owners and see what they are all about, why they are doing what they do. Today we will make our first stop as I take you into the small shop known as Sermania Jewelers.
Sermania Jewelers is owned and operated by a husband and wife. We open the door and walk into a small shop very much unlike the bright and large jewelry stores we see in the mall. An arrangement of cookies, pretzel bites and water bottles sits right in the door, inviting guests to have a treat. Mrs. Sermania greeted me with a friendly smile and as she introduced herself, she also gestured to her husband, Mr. (Joe) Sermania wearing jeweler’s glasses (forgive me if that is the wrong term), bent over his work, in my imaginings, a gorgeous diamond ring taking shape underneath his skillful fingers.
Their store is a simple one, which, when you are marketing all things that glitter and amaze, is a good thing. The sparkling gemstones beg to be tried on and purchased. With popular sterling silver and gold, diamonds and and religious jewelery, they also have a selection of their own Pandora type charms.
I asked Mrs. Sermania how long they have been in business and loved hearing the history. They started out on Sansome Street, over 30 years ago, and 8 years ago they moved to East Passyunk Avenue. They have a large selection of religious jewelry and when I asked her about it she said that when they first started out that was one of the popular things they sold. At the time they opened they were in the Italian Market area with a huge Catholic population. I loved to see that even in the changing time when everything has become so ethnically and religiously diverse, they retain a small section of the showcase to their business roots.
She explained that even though their showcase appears limited they have a whole selection of catalogues you can browse through to find just the perfect piece – a QUALITY piece. In fact, they are so dedicated to making sure you have the piece you want, they will order the piece and make sure you are happy with it before you need to lock yourself into it. I love that because when you are making such a huge purchase it is hard enough to make it, let alone order sight unseen and hope for the best.
While I was there she told me they also create their own one of a kind pieces. She showed me a special piece they had designed the night before with a slim black leather band and 2 silver oak leaf charms on it, one smaller than the other. In thinking about the event, Second Saturday for Families, they wanted to design something that falls in line with that. The leaves represent the family tree and the two different sizes of the leaves represent mother and child. WOW! I loved it. It went from just being a piece of jewelry to a story and I know just the person I could see it on.
Next time you need a special piece of jewelry I recommend checking out Sermania Jewelers at 1719 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia. In fact, check them out on Design Saturday/ Second Saturday. They will be offering tips on restoring and repairing jewelry on October 13 from 12 – 5.
You can also find them on Facebook.
Thank you Mrs. Sermania for making my visit to your store such a pleasure.
~Heather
Disclosure: I received noting in return for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Heather
Heather McCurdy writes at Real: The Kitchen and Beyond where she shows families how to slow down and savor life on any budget with tasty homemade recipes and family travel.
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