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vision of how they wanted their business to be. They want their
customers to be happy and satisfied. They want their customers
to love shopping with them and love what they are shopping for.
The patrons should walk away knowing what they bought is truly
a wonderful product at a great value. The clientele should
always remember that they do matter; they are the most
important part of any business. Without them, you have nothing.
These happily married business partners have been in business for
over 30 years, so they know a little something about keeping
people smiling and coming back for more.
drop off some men’s neckties while on his first date with Marilyn. Mark originally started his own
business by selling neckties to other small business owners to stock in their stores. This wasn’t his
only job; in 1969 he became a full time Philadelphia School District teacher by weekday and a
business owner by weekend. After the tie business began to slow down, the newly married
couple decided to get into the umbrella and handbag business. They would sell at boutiques,
home parties and flea markets. This business seemed to go very well for them. They met a lot of
new people and made a name for themselves in the world of discounted retail products.
Along with handbags and umbrellas, they acquired a line of Lucite products, which included
serving pieces, picture frames and other home design products. The business name at this
point in time was called 3 M A after the first initial of each family member (Mark, Marilyn,
Melanie, and Allison). 3 M A’s customer base expanded rapidly and this business was a huge
success.
Time was now starting to be an issue. Mark and Marilyn never had any free time at all to spend
with family, friends, or even alone. The two decided to put their business on the back burner
for a little while. Mark still flea-marketed a little on weekends so that their customers had
access to their products and because, simply put, he loved flea markets. In early 1981, Marilyn
decided to get a part time job during the week and stay home with the kids on the
weekends. This was working out well, but the two really missed the days of throwing themselves
into their own thriving business. Marilyn stayed with her part time weekday job, but decided to
get into a slightly different product line. As times changed, so did the wants and needs of their
customer base. In 1982, 3 M A evolved into a high-end designer women’s fashion and costume
jewelry business. Along with the product line change, came a name change. Their business
would now be known as Jewel Up.
Jewel Up still sold to boutiques, attended home parties, and could be found at local flea
markets. Now, they felt like this was it. They could foresee their future in the jewelry business.
The prices and quality were unbeatable and the styles were in high demand. . They were
making women feel beautiful and confident all over the Tri-State area. Marilyn was
comfortable selling (and wearing) jewelry, which made it easy for her to relate to her clientele.
Jewel Up had hundreds of regulars that she got to know on a personal, yet professional, level.
This was a business like no other. Marilyn had a knack for making each woman feel important
and special, and it was genuine. These women couldn’t get that feeling from a retail chain
store in any mall.
Because change is, of course, inevitable, Jewel Up began to evolve again. This time, it didn’t
take an entire different direction; it just took a slightly different path. Jewel Up began to infuse
some Sterling Silver and genuine stone jewelry into their massive inventory. There wasn’t much
at first, but the small quantity they acquired turned out to be an incredible hit. After witnessing
the success of the sterling, they began to add more pieces and more styles. Their customers
were very pleased with the changes and made their voice heard. This business was getting
bigger, faster than anyone had ever imagines.
By 1987, Jewel Up was totally converted into sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, changing
their name one last time. If you recall, Mark loves flea markets where you can find all sorts of
hidden ‘treasures’ and Marilyn was selling silver. They decided to name this new endeavor
Silver Treasures, after Marilyn’s Silver and Mark’s Treasures. They decided that flea marketing
was not enough to support this business and, in 1995, decided to open up their very first store in
a quaint little town called Lewes, Delaware. This store was full of sterling silver and gemstone
jewelry along with antique treasures that Mark had gathered along the way. The store was
another great victory, which gave them reason to move into a larger location where a larger
amount of travelers could see their wares. They opened up the 2nd Silver Treasures along the
water in Lewes. This way, they could reach vacationers who traveled over from Cape May, NJ
on the Cape May/Lewes Ferry. Was there any doubt that their business would succeed?
Mark still loved the flea marketer lifestyle, so he continued to sell at the markets in the
Philadelphia, PA area and in New Jersey. He stumbled upon Columbus Farmers Market Flea
Market where he began selling on Sundays. Silver Treasures received such a warm welcome
and became very well known in the area. Even though the Silver Treasures store in Delaware
was doing well, Mark and Marilyn weren’t very happy with the location because they couldn’t
be there every day to oversee daily operations and to make sure that things were being done
with the customers happiness in mind. They tried several times to open up a Silver Treasures
inside Columbus Farmers Market, but failed because there just weren’t any openings. They
figured that if they could get an inside store at Columbus, they could close their Delaware
location, bring all that stock into this store, and work in NJ happily. But, only time would tell if
this dream would become a reality.
Then, it finally happened. A store became available inside Columbus in October of 1998. They
closed their Delaware operation and opened up their 3rd location in December 1998, just in
time for the Christmas rush. This store was small, but perfect for their needs at this point in time.
Things were rolling along smoothly and their customer base was expanding daily. Soon, they
had customers coming to see them from Pa, De, and NJ…along with other vacationers from all
over the world. This little mom and pop shop was making it. The jewelry became more and
more unique, their product lines expanded, and they began to carry jewelry from different
designers.
They were doing very well in their new location. So well in fact, that they needed to expand
that store twice just to accommodate the growing needs of the public. Now, in their final
location, they feel perfect and at home. This is where they belong. The only way for them to
branch out now, is finding a little slice of web space to showcase their designer pieces. Their
regulars, as well as first timers, know that when they walk into Silver Treasures they will always be
greeted with a smile, friendly conversation, and NOT a ‘salesperson’. When shopping in the
store, feel free to browse, pressure-free, and get help from knowledgeable staff when help is
needed. Once Marilyn learns the likes and dislikes of her customers, she becomes something
similar to a personal shopper; always keeping an eye out for missing pieces to a customers set
or for something he/she may like. You don’t see that type of service at a major department
store. That is only part of the reason why this store is so special. Stopping in to experience this
owner-operated store is a must if you are in the area. Stop by and say hello to Mark and
Marilyn. They would love to meet you. If you are nowhere near the store, check out what is for
sale online. There is sure to be something to delight your senses.