For almost forty years, the Casinelli family has operated Whitemarsh Jewelers, their family-run business. Owner John Casinelli opened the store on May 5, 1981 and moved it to the Plymouth Square Shopping Center in 1996.
Due to the renovation plans by the shopping center’s developer, Casinelli is forced to close his business at the Plymouth Square Shopping Center. In October MoreThanTheCurve.com reported that the owner of the shopping center was in the process of buying a liquor license for the space that has been home to Whitemarsh Jewelers and adjacent spaces.
A huge store closing sale that’s open to the public began on Friday, November 16th. Expect to find huge discounts on an array of fine jewelry including diamond jewelry, engagement rings wedding bands, and precious gemstones.
After the current location closes, Casinelli’s not sure what the future holds. “We just don’t know yet,” he said.
The Casinelli family has a long history in the area. Casinelli’s parents both owned businesses in Conshohocken starting in the 1950’s. His father ran a corner bar and restaurant while his mother owned a beauty salon, one of the first women-owned businesses in Conshohocken.
Casinelli, who graduated with an accounting degree, was introduced to the jewelry business after the accounting firm he worked for closed. He met a jeweler who was opening up a second store and began working for him. Casinelli describes the experience as a positive one.
“That’s when I thought I wouldn’t mind opening my own jewelry store someday,” he said.
Before opening his own store in 1981, Casinelli managed the J.E. Caldwell store, a jewelry company in Philadelphia.
Owning the store has also been a family affair. His wife Helene Casinelli, vice president and operation manager, has played a big role in the store’s success since it opened. He credits her attention to detail and ability to understand the needs of the customers as key reasons the store has prospered for as long as it has.
Their daughter Stephanie Casinelli McCollum, a GIA graduate in diamonds like her father, had served as the store’s sales manager. She eventually left the business after 13 years so she could focus more on raising her children.
“She wants to come back now that the kids are in school,” he said. “So that’s always in the cards. We just don’t know what will happen yet.”
John Casinelli has found being part of customers’ lives – especially around joyous occasions – particularly rewarding.
“Working with customers and selling them beautiful things – it’s nice to come to work and make people happy.”