(7/1) A cornerstone at 9 Water Street and the epitome of true community customer service, Brown’s Jewelry and Gift Store, owned and operated by Mr. John W. E. Brown will officially close its doors at the end of the year after 40 years of business.

It is with a heavy heart that Brown and his daughter, Stacey Brown-Hobbs, have decided to give notice. "The internet has just killed small businesses. And I am one of those," Brown said. Potential jewelry buyers are now one click away from getting that special gem for a loved one. They miss out on the full experience.

Brown’s Jewelry has always provided the most efficient and friendliest customer service. They have pre-selected jewelry for customers specially seeking last minute Christmas gifts for their wives and even went as far as to wrap a microwave for a husband to present to his wife on Christmas morning. The shop has always put customer service at the top of their business model and many locals remember just how caring the Brown’s have been for others and the townspeople have never been shy in returning the favor.

When Betty, Brown’s wife, was sick, customers would come into the store and check on her. It was beyond just the business, it was to check in on her, how she was doing and feeling. They would bring food, cookies and flowers, just to check in and make sure everything was okay, Brown fondly remembers. "Hundreds of people would come visit her. She had an extended illness. It is beyond just the person who repairs your jewelry. It is truly a community and a family around here," said Brown.

There was a time when Mr. and Mrs. Brown traveled to jewelry shows across the United States. As Brown recalled, Betty had an eye for jewelry and she would always have a customer in mind as she handpicked certain items for their Thurmont customers. She knew them so well and knew their taste in jewels.

"We would go to Las Vegas, once every other year. That was one of the biggest jewelry shows in the world. Betty would go and say, ‘So and so would really like this,’ so they would purchase the jewelry and it would be in stock at the shop. She also knew in the back of her mind that this would be something a certain client would really like." Brown said, "She was so good that she would walk to these dealers, stop at a vendor that had all kinds of stuff and I never said a word because she was too busy buying. She would say, ‘Well, we will take that, that, that, and that,’ and I am going, ‘How the hell am I going to pay for all of this?!’ It always worked out in the end, she was amazing at what she did. The 80s were a grand time." Mrs. Brown helped to introduce looking at jewelry in other ways with different perspectives. She knew her clients and the community loved it. Mr. Brown laughed, "There was always one piece for her, at least one."

Brown has genuinely lived the phrase, "Do what you love and love what you do." What he loves most about his job was shared with sincerity, "The people, the customers I have are the greatest people in the world. One couldn’t ask for better customers. They are all sad that I’m going out, they don’t know what to do. I am a dinosaur, a dying breed."

Brown really wants the town of Thurmont to know how appreciative he and his daughter, Stacey, are of the community and the support that they have always given to him and the store. "There are not many places you can go and have this kind of community support," he said.

Thurmont’s Main Street Manager Vicki Grinder was very pointed in the loss Thurmont will experience with the closing of Brown’s Jewelry: "Browns Jewelers value to Thurmont is not easily measured. John and Betty Brown have been a good neighbor and serviced the community for decades with exceptional customer service, and knew just about everyone by name. The many are grateful for all of their dedicated service to community both with business and time given from their personal life. I wish John Brown and his longtime associate Barb Barbe the best as they retire."

Customers shopping of Brown’s Jewelry were also quick to reflect upon it closing: "Mr. Brown always served me well. Be it buying jewelry for a gift or repairing an old piece for myself" said one customer. "He always made me feel special, like I was his number one customer. He was cut from the old cloth. Sadly, we will not see his like again."

With the store closing at the end of the year, Mr. Brown will sell the building and everything in the shop. The entire store is 40% off and will drop down to 50% off in September.

Be sure to stop by Browns’ Jewelry Store located at 9 Water Street and experience the extraordinary customer service provided by Mr. Brown and the staff before the doors close forever and Water Street sparkles a little less.