Business & Tech
Jewelry Business Celebrates More Than 100 Years in Wyandotte
Milkins Jewelers is a family-owned business with more than 100 years serving the Downriver community.
One of Wyandotte's oldest businesses has remained family-owned and -operated for more than 100 years.
Milkins Jewelers, 3160 Biddle Ave., turned 108 years old in June. Owner Douglas Milkins, 70, of Grosse Ile, said he remains as dedicated to the business as his grandfather was when he opened the doors for the first time.
Archibald Burdette Milkins opened Milkins Jewelers in 1905. He, eventually, passed the store on to his son, Burdette Archibald Milkins, who then passed the store on to his son Douglas Milkins.
Archibald Burdette Milkins moved the business to its current location in 1915 from a different Biddle location near Orange Street. Douglas Milkins credits the Wyandotte community and the store's rich history as reasons the business has remained in the same building for 98 years.
"We just, very much, believe in the community, and whenever we can be civically involved we do so," Douglas Milkins said.
Milkins Jewelers was admitted to the American Gem Society about 40 years ago. The society has recognized just five percent of all jewelers in the country, according to Douglas Milkins.
Douglas Milkins said he's built an emotional attachment to the store over the years. From the time he pushed a broom for his father as a boy to the time his daughter, Lesley Milkins-Alban, 38, of Grosse Ile, joined the Milkins team.
Milkins-Alban will likely take over the business after her father retires, which, he said, won't happen any time soon. At 70 years old, Douglas Milkins continues to work about 35 hours each week. His wife, Janine Milkins, 68, of Grosse Ile, also works full-time.
"It's an emotional attachment," Janine Milkins said. "It would be very hard to give it up."
The only staff members that spend more time in the store than the Milkins are Bill Ayers, manager and employee of more than 30 years, and Wilma, the family dog.
Douglas Milkins said the future of his business lies in the same three principles established by his grandfather so many years ago -- dedication, honesty and ethics.
The Milkins are celebrating their lineage and history in the city by offering a "Y&Dotte" sale from now until July 6. Items marked with a red "dotte" have been reduced by 60 percent and items marked with a green "dotte" have been reduced by 40 percent.
The first 50 purchases of $100 or more include a free gift.
Contact Milkins Jewelers 734-284-9044 for more information.
Archibald Burdette Milkins opened Milkins Jewelers in 1905. He, eventually, passed the store on to his son, Burdette Archibald Milkins, who then passed the store on to his son Douglas Milkins.
Archibald Burdette Milkins moved the business to its current location in 1915 from a different Biddle location near Orange Street. Douglas Milkins credits the Wyandotte community and the store's rich history as reasons the business has remained in the same building for 98 years.
"We just, very much, believe in the community, and whenever we can be civically involved we do so," Douglas Milkins said.
Milkins Jewelers was admitted to the American Gem Society about 40 years ago. The society has recognized just five percent of all jewelers in the country, according to Douglas Milkins.
Douglas Milkins said he's built an emotional attachment to the store over the years. From the time he pushed a broom for his father as a boy to the time his daughter, Lesley Milkins-Alban, 38, of Grosse Ile, joined the Milkins team.
Milkins-Alban will likely take over the business after her father retires, which, he said, won't happen any time soon. At 70 years old, Douglas Milkins continues to work about 35 hours each week. His wife, Janine Milkins, 68, of Grosse Ile, also works full-time.
"It's an emotional attachment," Janine Milkins said. "It would be very hard to give it up."
The only staff members that spend more time in the store than the Milkins are Bill Ayers, manager and employee of more than 30 years, and Wilma, the family dog.
Douglas Milkins said the future of his business lies in the same three principles established by his grandfather so many years ago -- dedication, honesty and ethics.
The Milkins are celebrating their lineage and history in the city by offering a "Y&Dotte" sale from now until July 6. Items marked with a red "dotte" have been reduced by 60 percent and items marked with a green "dotte" have been reduced by 40 percent.
The first 50 purchases of $100 or more include a free gift.
Contact Milkins Jewelers 734-284-9044 for more information.
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