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By Monica Kass Rogers
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST
Scott Cheng brings second-generation energy to Merry Richards, founded by Merry Cheng.
In the 40 years since Merry Richards Jewelers first began, although much has changed in the industry, the most important things have stayed the same: “Excellence, integrity, and a commitment to our cherished customers is at the heart of everything we do today, just as it was when we started,” says Merry, founder and co-owner with husband Richard. To honor its 40th-year anniversary, the store has been featuring a special sale event, discounting many items in the Merry Richards collection through May.
Featuring hundreds of beautifully displayed jewelry pieces in artful layouts that fill its sleekly designed Oak Brook Terrace store, Merry Richards has maintained its reputation as one of the Chicago area’s premier jewelry destinations by cultivating a loyal following.
“We understand that each customer is unique, whether they come to us for a new piece of jewelry, need something repaired or appraised, or hope to create a new setting for a family heirloom,” says Richard. To meet wide-ranging preferences, Merry Richard’s jewelry collection is diverse, catering both to customers who know and love highly desired brands and prominent designers such as Roberto Demeglio. Christopher, and Simon G, and to those who are uninitiated and may be purchasing fine jewelry for the first time.
Greeting each customer with a warm welcome, Merry Richard’s owners and staff offer expert guidance with their result-oriented yet approachable management style. “We are here to educate, care, and build lasting relationships with each customer,” says Richard, “regardless of their background or preferences.”
In fact, many Merry Richard’s clients have been repeating customers since the business began, “Today, their children and grandchildren now come in,” says Richard.
Among its special assets, Merry Richards has a private diamond area, where dedicated team members use care and expertise to assist customers in finding the perfect stone and setting. And in addition to the sales team, Merry Richard’s skilled in-house jeweler is on hand to repair and refurbish treasured items, or to craft one-of-a- kind jewelry pieces.
Merry and Richard Cheng began their jewelry venture on Wabash Avenue’s “Jewelers Row” in 1985, selling loose diamonds and settings. The couple met through friends, and after marrying, Merry started the business and was joined by Richard—a wholesale jewelry representative, a few years later. Their first move to the suburbs came in 1992, with a shop in Oak Brook. And then in 2004, the couple built their million-dollar current location in Oak Brook Terrace.
“The new location allowed us to meet a lot more people from the community and to expand our collection to the $10 to 12 million assortment we have today,” says Merry.
The Cheng’s son Scott began learning the jewelry trade in 2010 when he was in his early 20s. He is now the store’s sales and ma keting lead.
Analyzing the market, “We have seen a surge of interest in natural diamonds because prices have come down for those,” says Scott. In addition, he says prices for lab grown diamonds are also more approachable, generating sales in that category. “We are also optimistic about sales of colored gemstones because they represent a great opportunity to invest in fine jewelry right now.”
As the family looks ahead, “We want to thank our loyal customers for all of the years they have allowed us to serve them with beautiful jewelry, and we look forward to meeting the next generation of shoppers from our community,” Scott concludes.
Merry Richards Jewelers is located at 17W300 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace, 630.516.8000, merryrichardsjewelers.com.
