Mandel Jewelers, A Mainstay in the Ladue Market Place

Each week, the Ladue-Frontenac Patch examines a different business in either ladue or Frontenac.

Mandel Jewelers has been in the Market Place in Ladue since October, 1989.  Mandel’s delivers customized service with attention placed upon the familiarity of the buyer. “We know by name 85 percent of the customers who come through our door,” said Matt Weiss, proprietor of the store.

The Ladue-Frontenac Patch goes one-on-one with the store owner.

Patch: When was your business founded.

Matt Weiss: Mandel’s came into existence in October, 1975. The late Harry Mandel took over operations from Mennemeyer’s Jewelers who delivered customized service downtown, dating back to 1932. Mennemeyer built a highly-respected business, operating in the old Arcade building downtown. Harry started with Mennemeyer's in 1946 after his service with the 82nd airborne division in the Phillipines.

Patch: When did you move to Ladue.

Weiss: We came here in November, 1989. We found that 41percent of our customers had a Ladue address or lived in an adjoining zip code. We are much more accessible to our customers and have a safe location. Customers no longer had to drive downtown and we have plenty of free parking. It means a lot to having a centralized business in Ladue.

Patch: How many people work in the business.

Weiss: Two full time, two part time. That includes myself, my son Harry and two others.

Patch: What is your philosophy of selling jewelry.

Weiss: My philosophy is offering the best customer service. Without customer service you fail. Serving the needs and wants, answering the requests of anything we are asked for. Ninety five percent of this business is based upon referrals. People will call and say that their friend, relative, etc. will be coming to see us
and we take it from there. It makes for interesting conversations for years to come.

Patch: What do you see when you look at diamonds under a microscope.

Weiss: The most important thing you look for in a stone under a microscope is the clarity.  Foremost, you look to see if there is imperfections. Has the stone
been lasered, clarity enhanced, etc.

Patch: How much does color play in as a factor.

Weiss: Color is huge. Color is pretty much visual.  That is foremost. The bottom line is--is the stone pretty, no matter the size. If a stone is not pretty, no one is going to buy it, whether it is a diamond, sapphire, emerald, it doesn’t make any difference.

Patch: Do shapes go in and out of style.

Weiss: Yes they do. The azure or cushion shapes are second to round stones. Well behind are pear shapes, ovals, and marquise shapes. Fifteen years ago, Marquise was No.1 but its cyclical. Each generation changes and its always different. Ninety percent of what we sell is round stones. Eighty percent of bridal is mostly custom work. We assure our customers that all work will remain within their budgets.

Patch: How do you keep up with the trends.

Weiss: Most of the jewelry today is without restrictions. Women will wear their jewelry almost anywhere. Its not just cocktail or dinner rings any more. There
are no restrictions as to when and where, people want to wear their jewelry

Patch: Changing subjects, you are an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club.

Weiss. Yes, I’ve been a member since 1988 and it's the best thing I’ve ever done. My best friends belong to that organization. We do a lot of good things for the community. We support fund raising for a variety of charities. We’ve learned we can do so much more as a group than we can as individuals. I love Rotary.
 
Hours of service: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Address: 9827 Clayton Rd.

Phone: 314-569-0600.