Gennaro Jewelers marks 100 years

If you ask Gary Hudes, the owner and president of Gennaro Jewelers in Bellmore, what’s made it possible for the business to thrive for so many years, he’ll tell you its family, personal and knowledgeable service, and a commitment to being involved in the community. His values — and those of the owners before him — have served the jewelry store, at 410 Bedford Ave., well: Last Sunday, it celebrated its 100th year of operation, with no end in sight.

Hudes, who this year celebrates a personal milestone — his 50th year as a bench jeweler — began working at Gennaro Jewelers in 1979. Today, Hudes attributes the success of the business to the people around him — his wife, Sheree; their children, Jenna, Jessica and Jason; their grandchildren, and a team of dedicated employees.

“It’s been a long road to get here,” Hudes said at Sunday’s ceremony. “Who do I thank most for our success, our longevity? Our customers that supported us, that supported a small business on a side street in Bellmore by recommending generations of their friends, generations of their relatives and generations of their neighbors. That’s why Gennaro Jewelers has, and always will, give back to our community.”

Gennaro’s history

Longtime Bellmore residents may remember the days when Gennaro was known as Von Der Heydt Jeweler, and owned by Erwin Von Der Heydt, an expert watchmaker who was known for installing the famous clocks at Jones Beach State Park.

From 1923 to 1962, Von Der Heydt and his wife, Betty, owned and operated the jewelry and gift shop before it was purchased by watchmaker Louis Gennaro in 1962. When Von Der Heydt, who was born and raised on a farm in North Bellmore, retired in 1968, the store’s name changed.

“While Mr. Gennaro was operating Gennaro Jewelers in 1973,” Hudes said, “another person’s career started — mine.”

Hudes said he started with nothing, using plumbing and barbecue tools to make jewelry in the basement of the New Jersey home where he grew up. He attended Montclair State University to perfect his craft, learning the industrial and technical aspects of using machines, as well as how to design pieces.

In 1979, Hudes said, he was living in Queens, and picked up a copy of Newsday, in which he saw an advertisement for a jewelry store manager at Gennaro. “I came out here, I interviewed with Mr. Gennaro, and he hired me,” Hudes recounted. “He always told me that he hired me because I wore this three-piece suit, and nobody ever came for an interview dressed up as well as I did.”

A few years after he was hired, Hudes became a junior partner in the business, and suggested to Gennaro that they start designing and repairing jewelry in the storefront. Louis agreed, and the business grew into what it is today — a place where people can come in, buy items, have pieces designed and get jewelry repaired, no matter where it was originally purchased.

“The biggest part of our business is the fact that all diamond work is done while you wait and watch,” Hudes said. “Whether you need a repair or whether you want to redesign your piece, it’s all done right in front of the customer.”

And it’s not just diamonds, he added. If the piece is of value to the customer — like a gold or silver chain — they can watch it being repaired.

“The other niche part of our business is the fire- and police-related jewelry that we manufacture here,” Hudes said. “We started doing that about 40 years ago, and then we expanded tremendously into that area, because we’re able to design things here. So now we do work for police departments and fire departments across the country.”

Von Der Heydt and Gennaro  — who retired in 1998 — were both deeply involved with the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, and Hudes followed in their footsteps. President of the organization five times, he helped found the annual family street festival, which he chaired for 15 years. Hudes was also a Hempstead town councilman for 17 years, until 2017.

Into the future

Last month, Gennaro Jewelers was accepted into the state’s Historic Business Preservation Registry, which honors and preserves historically significant businesses around New York. A 100th anniversary marker was unveiled in front of the shop during last weekend’s ceremonies.

The business was also honored by the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County. And on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito congratulated Gennaro Jewelers on its momentous anniversary. A video of his speech can be found on Gennaro’s Facebook page.

“This is a mainstay in the community, ladies and gentleman,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said on Sunday. “He’s a wonderful individual, and to know Gary is love him.

“There is nothing better than going into that store, feeling the friendship and camaraderie of everybody there,” Clavin added. “It’s a great business, because they’re all dedicated to this community.”

“Your passion, your dedication to community and to what’s in the best interest of Bellmore is at the heart of the success of your business,” State Sen. Steve Rhoads told Hudes. “I want to thank you for everything that you’ve meant to me, and congratulate you on another 100 years of success.”

The celebration kicked off “100 Days of Gennaro.” Over the next 100 days, customers will be treated to specials, first responders will be recognized, and there will be a number of giveaways and contests. For more, go to GennaroJewelers.com, or call (516) 785-0134.

Hudes, who is also a past president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, said he is used to giving advice to small businesses to help them succeed.

“Small businesses (don’t) realize that while they didn’t have the square footage the big-box stores have, they (do) have something that the big-box store could never give their customers, and that’s personal, friendly attention,” he said. “David can beat Goliath — and it can be done with friendly, personal, knowledgeable service. That’s what I’ve always tried to instill in our staff.”