CARIBOU — It’s the quality of unique items not found elsewhere that has made Freme’s Jewelry successful. Unique items include the Euro style for jewelry items.
“This style is not too busy, and has little diamonds,” said owner Phil Albair.
“We have a lot of unique styles. They are not what you see in the catalog or the chain stores,” Albair said. “That’s the major draw for people, and they tell us that every day,” he continued.
Distributors from all over the country supply Freme’s Jewelry. Albair is constantly keeping his contact channels open with distributors from California, Florida, New York and Boston in order to maintain such a unique stock. To maintain the unique flavor of jewelry he carries, he never stocks a piece of jewelry in multiple quantities either.
Phil and his wife Kirsten own and operate the business, which is located on the “sunny side” of the Downtown Mall in Caribou. Expert jewelry repair for a variety of items, whether they are gold, platinum or silver, is available, as well as clock repair and engraving. The store also offers free cleanings and inspection of jewelry pieces.
The business began in 1950 under the direction of Sam Freme, who later sold it to his niece. Albair bought the business in 1988 and said that it has been a stable and enjoyable business for many years.
Albair had experience in the jewelry industry prior to this business venture. One of his first jobs was as a silver polisher at Day’s Jewelry.
A major factor that has contributed to the store’s success is its location in the mall. This provides easy access to thousands of people who live west and northwest of the downtown. These people can obtain full service repairs for any piece of jewelry, no matter where it was purchased.
He added that a fair amount of tourists also visit the store each year. Some are people who used to live on the East Coast or worked on the former Loring Air Force Base.
On some occasions a longtime customer who currently resides elsewhere will drop off all of their jewelry to be cleaned and pick it up on the way home.
“It shows our stability, and that we are looking out for the customer,” Albair said.
Freme’s Jewelry is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 498-8778.
