Gary reluctantly closes his business

At the age of 68, you might think that Gary Mellon is ready to retire.

He has decided to close his Woy Woy jewellery business, Gary's Jewellers, after a 51-year career.

But Gary says that the main reason he is closing the business is not his age but lack of skilled staff.

When a number of his staff gave their notice in the space of a few weeks, Gary said he was unable to find staff to replace them.

He said it was not feasible to train new staff and keep the shop going.

For Gary, who is a diamond setter and diamond grader as well as a jeweller, jewellery is a love not a job and it is likely he will continue it as a hobby into his retirement.

"It's something I really love."

Gary said he started in jewellery at the age of 17 and worked for Henry Scholten in Gosford before coming to an arrangement to buy the business with wife Christine in 1996.

"He gave me my start."

Gary and Christine have worked together in the business ever since.

They operated in Gosford for 14 years before moving to his current shop in Deepwater Plaza.

Gary said he believed in making and selling jewellery that was value for money.

He said better quality jewellery was solidly-built and was going to last.

It was also more easily repaired or modified if necessary.

He said the market was increasingly price sensitive, with many jewellery franchises selling poorer quality products.

People often brought this jewellery to him for repair, but he said he was unable to because it was too light.

Gary said his craftsmanship has been appreciated and he possibly had six months of work ahead of him, if he wanted it.

He said he was sad he had been unable to pass his business on, with both his son and his daughter having other interests.

SOURCE:

Interview (Mark Snell), 22 Jan 2021

Gary Mellon, Gary's Jewellers