Longtime Manayunk Jewelry Store Closing After Owner's Death

PHILADELPHIA — A longtime Manayunk jewelry store is closing following the death of its owner, bringing an end to nearly four decades on Main Street.

Gary Mann Jewelers, located at 4349 Main St., has begun a going-out-of-business sale that will continue until its remaining merchandise is sold, according to the Mann family.

The family decided to close the shop following the death of founder Gary Mann. The shop owner died suddenly in late July, his obituary says. He was 73.

Mann opened the Manayunk store in 1988, when the neighborhood was still in the earlier stages of its transformation into a shopping, dining and entertainment district.

Jewelry was a longstanding family tradition for Mann, whose family history in the craft stretched back 10 generations and included jewelers, watchmakers, goldsmiths, silversmiths and blacksmiths.

Mann studied metalsmithing at the Rochester Institute of Technology and also trained through the Gemological Institute of America.

A native of Rochester, New York, Mann came to Philadelphia in the 1970s for his brother-in-law's 30th birthday and ultimately decided to remain in the city.

Custom jewelry became a focus of the Manayunk business, with Mann working as an artist-goldsmith and creating pieces using gold, platinum, diamonds and colored gemstones.

Over the decades, the shop made jewelry marking engagements, weddings, anniversaries, births, graduations and other milestones.

"The shop helped generations of people celebrate life's milestones: engagements, weddings, births, anniversaries, and graduations — some of the happiest moments in their lives," said Joan Denenberg, a longtime customer and family friend who is serving as a spokesperson for the Mann family during the closing sale.

The going-out-of-business sale opened to the public Sept. 24 and includes fine jewelry and one-of-a-kind custom pieces accumulated over the shop's years in business. The sale will continue until all merchandise is sold.

"The legacy the store built continues in every piece of jewelry customers have purchased and treasured over the years," Denenberg said.

Gary Mann Jewelers is located at 4349 Main St. The store can be reached at 215-482-7051.