The recession has claimed another business in Modesto.
After 62 years of providing engagement rings and wedding bands, anniversary gifts and sweet 16 presents, Harland Jewelers is closing.
The family-owned store began its going-out-of-business sale last week and should continue through the holidays, said owner Ben Barnes.
The family-owned store began its going-out-of-business sale last week and should continue through the holidays, said owner Ben Barnes.
"Obviously, it has been a very difficult decision," Barnes said. "It's not something I wanted to do, but based on the economic state, we had to."
Barnes' grandparents, Harland and Jane Hoghren, opened Harland Jewelers in 1948 in downtown Modesto. The store moved to McHenry Village in 1978. Barnes began working there when he was 17 and took over the business in 1998.
He said the recession hit his business hard the past two years. Sales were down 45 percent in 2009 from the previous year and are at the same level this year. Those kinds of numbers simply weren't enough to satisfy his bank, which called in his business loan.
"We were hoping that (the economy) was going to get better, but it just hasn't," Barnes said. "But it became even harder to compete with the chain stores."
In the past two years, he also downsized his staff from five employees to three.
Barnes said he made the decision to close earlier this month. Last week, a letter was sent out to longtime customers announcing the closure and sale. Barnes said it was his way of giving back to those who have supported his family through six decades.
"What Harland Hoghren always said was, 'We do business at the service of others,' " Barnes said. "That's why it was so difficult, that's why we're doing this sale to help customers. They can hopefully benefit from my unfortunate situation."
All of the inventory is on sale, from 20 percent to 60 percent off. He said most of it is at or below wholesale cost.
Longtime customer Helen Valdez came in Monday afternoon with her husband, Gilbert. The 71-year-old gave Barnes a hug and apologized for not being able to afford to buy more.
"I felt terrible when I heard," said the Ceres resident, who has shopped at Harland for 15 years. "His grandmother made me a pendant. I don't know what jeweler I'll go to now."
Natalie Bydak, the manager and buyer for Marcy's Hallmark Shop in McHenry Village, said losing the established store will be a hit for the center.
"We're going to feel it because it's been a fixture here," she said. "We're sad to see them go. It is a loss, they were here for so long."
The center has three other jewelers: Countryman's Village Jewelers, Edwards Jewelers and Gabriel Jewelers.
Barnes said once the closing sale is over, he will move with his fiancée to Reno to be near his 10-year-old daughter. Since his announcement, customers have been coming in droves.
"Everyone is coming, maybe not to buy something but to share their stories," he said. "They say 'I bought my wedding ring with you when you were downtown,' or just to say goodbye."
Barnes' grandparents, Harland and Jane Hoghren, opened Harland Jewelers in 1948 in downtown Modesto. The store moved to McHenry Village in 1978. Barnes began working there when he was 17 and took over the business in 1998.
He said the recession hit his business hard the past two years. Sales were down 45 percent in 2009 from the previous year and are at the same level this year. Those kinds of numbers simply weren't enough to satisfy his bank, which called in his business loan.
"We were hoping that (the economy) was going to get better, but it just hasn't," Barnes said. "But it became even harder to compete with the chain stores."
In the past two years, he also downsized his staff from five employees to three.
Barnes said he made the decision to close earlier this month. Last week, a letter was sent out to longtime customers announcing the closure and sale. Barnes said it was his way of giving back to those who have supported his family through six decades.
"What Harland Hoghren always said was, 'We do business at the service of others,' " Barnes said. "That's why it was so difficult, that's why we're doing this sale to help customers. They can hopefully benefit from my unfortunate situation."
All of the inventory is on sale, from 20 percent to 60 percent off. He said most of it is at or below wholesale cost.
Longtime customer Helen Valdez came in Monday afternoon with her husband, Gilbert. The 71-year-old gave Barnes a hug and apologized for not being able to afford to buy more.
"I felt terrible when I heard," said the Ceres resident, who has shopped at Harland for 15 years. "His grandmother made me a pendant. I don't know what jeweler I'll go to now."
Natalie Bydak, the manager and buyer for Marcy's Hallmark Shop in McHenry Village, said losing the established store will be a hit for the center.
"We're going to feel it because it's been a fixture here," she said. "We're sad to see them go. It is a loss, they were here for so long."
The center has three other jewelers: Countryman's Village Jewelers, Edwards Jewelers and Gabriel Jewelers.
Barnes said once the closing sale is over, he will move with his fiancée to Reno to be near his 10-year-old daughter. Since his announcement, customers have been coming in droves.
"Everyone is coming, maybe not to buy something but to share their stories," he said. "They say 'I bought my wedding ring with you when you were downtown,' or just to say goodbye."
