New Johnson Avenue jeweler carries on the family business

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By Jason Eisenberg
jeisenberg@riverdalepress.com

For Chris Carucci Jr., opening up his own jewelry store was practically a given.

"Going back to my grandfather, my family has more than 60 years of experience as jewelers and watchmakers, so the last thing I wanted was for this legacy to end with me," he said.

But the Connecticut resident decided to plant his new business, Marilyn's Diamond Collection, in his native Riverdale to fill what he perceived was a hole in the community. "Since there was a serious lack of real old-time jewelers in the Johnson Avenue/Riverdale Avenue area, this seemed like a great location and so far customers seem to be glad that we are here," he said.

The new shop, which Mr. Carucci Jr. co-owns with partner Elsie Liong, sells a wide range of jewelry and also offers several other services to customers, including repairs and redesigns, battery replacements for watches and insurance appraisals.

Marilyn's vast collection features necklaces, rings, earrings, pins, engagement rings and wedding bands, as well as watches for both men and women. Customers can choose from a selection of fine diamonds, white and yellow gold, sterling silver, Austrian crystals, semi-precious and precious stones and according to Mr. Carucci Jr., "anything we don't have, we can get."

However, it is the store's repair and re-design services that might turn out to be the biggest convenience for local residents. Customers are welcome to bring in their own jewelry for polishing, steam cleaning, gold re-enhancements or re-stringing of pearls and beads. The staff is able to fix and clean antique wind-up watches and they also stock replacement batteries for just about every type of watch currently on the market.

"Repairs are definitely one of our specialties and there are not many jewelers out there who can do what we do," said Mr. Carucci Jr. "Not only that, but we will have the items ready in a week, or two at most, so no customer will ever be waiting for three months like they could be at one of the large name-brand places."

Co-owner, Ms. Liong, who will also serve as the store's manager, has run her own jewelry company - Elsie Accessories, Inc. - for more than a year and she previously bought and sold jewelry and participated in dozens of trade-shows throughout the Tri-State Area.

Mr. Carucci Jr. was born in Riverdale and even though his family moved to Westchester when he was just in his mid-teens, he still remembers the area as a tight-knit community. "Back then and still to this day, it is the small mom-andpop shops which seem to thrive in this neighborhood rather than the big chain stores," he said. "If people want it to remain that way, then I would love to stay in business for as long as Riverdale wants me here."

The shop, which the owner named after his 4-year-old daughter, will hold its official grand opening on Saturday, May 3. On that day, visitors will be offered a special discount of $20 off any jewelry purchase of $50 or more.

Marilyn's Diamond Collection, Inc., at 3264 Johnson Ave., is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 718-601-4653.

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