Jeweler's Success Paved By Customer Service
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Ray McGuinness, owner of Tudor Jewelers in Northport Village, became a jeweler after falling in love with the craft growing up watching his father as a watchmaker.
Ray McGuinness, owner of Tudor Jewelers in Northport Village, recalled a time when he would watch his father work diligently in his craft as a watchmaker, and on occasion assist in repairing watches and jewelry.
With that, McGuinness fell in love with the industry and took his talents to the next level owning his own shop.
Selling engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, and earrings, the family owned business offers watch and jewelry repair and specializes in custom made pieces.
With Susan Cormier as the on-site gemologist, Tudor Jewelers offers all types of jewelry including silver, gold, platinum, palladium, and titanium.
Trending styles in the industry are colored diamonds and silver, and McGuinness, 55, said the business is reasonable with its prices.
“It’s not just a business for us, it’s a passion,” McGuinness said. “There are so many people in the jewelry business that don’t seem to remember what it’s like to be on the other side of the counter and you can never forget that.”
After opening its first location in Elmont in 1982, the business relocated to its 260 Main St. location in Northport Village in 1997.
Open since 1997 in Northport Village, Tudor Jewelers attributes its success to its personal customer service the business provides.
McGuinness said the family run business moved to its 600-square-foot location in Northport Village since the family was originally from the area. He added that he graduated from Northport High School in 1979.
“Where else would we have the business than the hometown that we know and love,” he said. “We just brought it back and started it from scratch.”
As the owner and jeweler, McGuinness said that having 32 years of experience in the industry helps run the successful business. What he enjoys about his job is getting to know customers on a personal level.
“Things like engagement rings, some guys go out there and they don’t know what they’re looking for so it’s important to make it enjoyable for them because it’s an important time in their life,” McGuinness said. “People have to trust you and feel good about you and then you take that and that energizes you to do better work for them.”
Future plans McGuinness hopes to take on with the business is to help solve the parking issue in Northport Village. He said that many customers have vocalized the issue when venturing to the shop.
Although many meetings with the Northport Village Board of Trustees have not shown positive results, McGuinness said he plans on being persistent with the issue for the sake of the shop.
However McGuinness said the shops continued success can be attributed to its personal customer service.
“We are comfortable and we try not to be intimidating like some other stores are,” he added. “We hit the ground running with customers because there’s an instant comfort here and I think you’ll feel that when you walk through the door and talk to the people that are here.”
