‘One of the pillars of the Millheim community’ set to close longtime jewelry store
A one-of-its-kind business that’s had tens of thousands of pieces of jewelry, clocks and watches flow through its doors during the past 17 years in Millheim is set to close this week.
Penns Valley Jewelers owner Richard Winebold is scheduled to close the retail side of his business Friday, though he’ll continue repairing pieces from his home office.
“I’m really going to miss the customers. I like the interaction with them. I like to run at the mouth sometimes, so it’s right up my alley,” Winebold said with a laugh. “You get to know the people, you get to know their problems. You’re part of the community, you’re part of them. They wouldn’t tell you those things if they didn’t feel comfortable with you.”
A conversation with the upstate New York native revealed an unwavering confidence in craft, along with a commitment to his customers that can only be found among small business owners.
Winebold’s childhood was at least partially defined by tinkering with different objects. He’d often build things, only to take them apart and see if he could rebuild them again.
His family moved to central Pennsylvania in the 1970s. That allowed him to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, a longtime owner of a jewelry store in Blair County.
Winebold took over the business after graduating from Bowman Technical School, a watchmaking and jewelry school that has since closed.
“I’d never had any doubt in what I can do. I’m just good at everything I do. You show me something, I’ll do it perfect. I’ve got that mechanical brain; I can put the mechanical part to my fingers,” Winebold said. “Some people are great readers, some people have a photographic memory. I’m just one of those people that likes working with my hands.”
Winebold ended up in Millheim rather pragmatically. He and his wife were looking for a building to open a new store, stumbled onto 110 E. Main St. and found the cost to be reasonable enough.
They’ve called that place home since 2004. Millheim Borough Council President Robert Zeigler called Winebold “one of the pillars of the Millheim community.”
“He’s been a pretty key cog in the business community,” Zeigler said. “... He’s always known for being honest and direct about things. I think that’s part of the reason why he’s been so successful. You know what you’re getting with him every single time; you’re getting high-quality work, reasonable pricing and it’s all done with a fairness and honesty.”
The pandemic rekindled Winebold’s passion for his work, but as he turned 64, he asked himself, “Is enough, enough?” The retail side blossomed in recent years, but the business was built by his repair work.
One had to go.
But what won’t go is Winebold’s willingness to help would-be customers. For those that can’t make it to the store, Winebold often picks up the piece himself, repairs it and then returns it.
He takes pride in that “old-school” approach, as well as being the only person in Centre County to repair jewelry, clocks and watches. Some do a combination of the three, but to Winebold’s knowledge, he’s the only one who offers the “full service.”
“That comes from my mother. That’s the way I was raised,” Winebold said. “Do a job, do it right. Or don’t do it at all.”
This story was originally published December 27, 2021 at 5:00 AM.