Riviera Jewelers in Glen Ellyn to shut its doors after 35 years

GLEN ELLYN – For 35 years, Riviera Jewelers owner Jan Malopy has tried to make sure her customers had a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to celebrate the special moments in their lives.

That's why she named her store Riviera Jewelers.

"I wanted our jewelry to be as unique as the French Riviera," Malopy said.

The store at 409 N. Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn soon will be closing its doors as Malopy and her husband, Greg, are retiring. The two jointly own Riviera Jewelers.

Longtime customers Sue and Mark Allgaier of Glen Ellyn said they will miss not only the store, but also its owners. They were in the store recently to pick out a ring to mark their 25th wedding anniversary in December.

"It's the only jewelry store we come to in Glen Ellyn," Sue Allgaier said. "We like the quality and personal service."

Her husband complimented Malopy's designs.

"We love Jan's taste in designs," he said. "She brings freshness and uniqueness to the jewelry."

That's the intent, Malopy said.

"I will never duplicate a piece," she said. "My clients know that. That's another reason why they come to me."

She also will take a piece of jewelry that a customer brings in and turn it into an entirely new piece.

Malopy is happy to be back in the store and working with customers again after being off for three months following rotary cuff surgery. Because of the strong relationships she builds with them, she considers them more than just customers.

"My customers have become my friends," she said. "I really want to stay in contact with them."

The majority of what the store sells is jewelry that she has designed. Her love for jewelry hearkens back to her childhood.

"Ever since I was a kid, I always liked jewelry," Malopy said. "We have a lot of one-of-a-kind pieces. I pick all the stones and do all the designs."

The store tries to cater to every price range, she said. And customers can be assured that anything they buy is of the best quality.

"I never skimp on quality at all," Malopy said. "Even my diamond earrings are of engagement quality. I would rather a client buy a smaller piece of jewelry that is of fine quality."

Malopy admitted that after working at the jewelry store six days a week for 35 years, she's going to have to adjust to having some free time on her hands.

"It will be weird," she said. "We'll probably go on vacation and take some time to relax."

Before shutting its doors, Riviera Jewelers is having a public sale. The sale will begin Oct. 7 and go on until the store's inventory is gone, Malopy said.

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Know more

Information is available by calling the store at 630-469-4954 or visiting its website, www.diamondjan.net.

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See more online

Visit www.mysuburbanlife.com to watch a video interview with Riviera Jewelers owner Jan Malopy.