End of An Era: Van Cott Jewelers to Close

The owners of Van Cott Jewelers have announced they are planning to close the doors of their Broome County business

Birdie and Bill Levine expressed "sadness and a sense of gratitude" on Monday as they revealed their decision to close their store at the Town Square Mall in Vestal.

The Levines made it clear that the move is difficult. In an online statement, they wrote: "it is not something we look forward to."

Bill Levine told WNBF News "this is a legacy business that has to close."

The Levine family has been part of the Southern Tier jewelry scene for over a century. It started when Bill Levine's grandfather, Rubine (Ruby), started Ruby Jewelry Company in October 1922. He operated a store on Washington Avenue in Endicott for many years.

Van Cott Jeweler had been a fixture in downtown Binghamton for a long time before it was purchased by Herbert Levine, Bill's father, in 1969.

The Vestal store plans to start its "Going Out of Business Sale" Tuesday morning.

In their announcement, the Levines thanked the community for the support they've received over the years.

Bill Levine said he expects the Van Cott Jewelers store will close sometime in June.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.