Freme’s Jewelry, located at 14 Sweden Street in Caribou is celebrating 60 years’ of business. The original jewelry store was opened in 1950 by Sam Freme and was located at that time on Sweden Street next to the Victory Restaurant. Throughout the past 60 years, the store was been operated in three other locations including the former Woolworth building, when that section was turned into an indoor mall area, the Skyway Plaza and its current site.
In April of 1988 Phil Albair and the store’s owner Tom Byrnes while on a hunting trip found themselves sitting outside watching the sunset and, Albair asked if Byrnes was interested in selling the jewelry business and Byrnes replied that he had just listed the business with a realtor.
“The funny thing is, I lived right next door to Sam Freme when I was growing up,” said Albair, “Sam didn’t have any children and there were nine of us, sometimes I think he really didn’t appreciate all of us outside running around.”
“One of my first jobs was sweeping the floor at Days’ Jewelry, which sold not only jewelry but appliances as well,” recalled Albair, “I also worked at Brown’s Jewelry on weekends and during the holiday season.”
Prior to becoming proprietor of Freme’s Jewelry, Albair worked as marketing director for an engineering and architectural firm, and immediately before purchasing the established fine jewelry business he worked in quality control for the potato industry. “I was on the road a lot and I decided that I was ready to commit to something closer to home, nine to five sounded very nice.”
At the time he purchased Freme’s the store was in the downtown mall location and by the early 1990s as a result of Loring Air Force Base closing, the mall in Presque Isle arriving and the J.C. Penney store relocating to Presque Isle, “The whole downtown went to pieces,” stated Albair. “That’s when I decided I needed to be in a small location.”
Albair not only moved to a new site, he stopped carrying 40 feet of china, also crystal, flatware and other gift items, he also decided against continuing an estimated 15 feet of costume jewelry. “By moving the store to where it is today, making the other changes, I reduced by location cost by 68 percent. It’s the best thing I ever did.” The jeweler now features sterling silver and carat gold jewelry items.
As with everything else, the cost of personal jewelry has increased. For example Albair estimated that in the mid 1960s a good watch would cost around $50 and a diamond engagement ring would swallow up a week’s wages costing $20 to $120, and a 14 carat gold wedding band would have been $20. Today a good watch runs $100, engagement rings are $299 and up and a 14-carat gold wedding band is around $100. Albair continued saying at that time a toaster or a percolator coffeepot was around $4.
“I work alone most of the time,” said Albair, “over the past years I’ve had some part-time help but they all either retired or went on to something else — I’ve never had anyone quit on me. Currently I do have one employee, Ella Leighton, of Fort Fairfield, who has worked part-time and weekends for 15 years.”
The local jeweler stated that the biggest change he has witnessed as a businessman is the amount of people moving out of the area. “The elimination of high paying and average paying jobs is typical right now in the northern tier states. The Northeast has a big problem — we need jobs.”
Albair said he has a great many repeat customers. “That’s what it’s all about, if customers feel comfortable with the service I provide and they‘re happy with the affordable quality of the jewelry they become regular customers.”
“Freme’s Jewelry offers overnight hand engraving, lay-a-ways, clock (mantle to grandfather) repair, watch cells replacement and jewelry repair, with most of these services done on site; ring sizing is sent to a master goldsmith in Boston. Albair also offers a number of options should a client wish to have a special piece of jewelry reset and is available for emergency jewelry repair. Albair also reminds potential customers that even though gold is high, he encourages anyone interested not to shy away from it. “It’s a good investment,” he said.
Albair stated,” It’s always nice to see the smiles on my customers faces and to hear their thank-you’s. I look forward to continue to bring happiness to individuals and to be a part of their lives on special events.”
Freme’s Jewelry is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call the store at 498-8778.
In April of 1988 Phil Albair and the store’s owner Tom Byrnes while on a hunting trip found themselves sitting outside watching the sunset and, Albair asked if Byrnes was interested in selling the jewelry business and Byrnes replied that he had just listed the business with a realtor.
“The funny thing is, I lived right next door to Sam Freme when I was growing up,” said Albair, “Sam didn’t have any children and there were nine of us, sometimes I think he really didn’t appreciate all of us outside running around.”
“One of my first jobs was sweeping the floor at Days’ Jewelry, which sold not only jewelry but appliances as well,” recalled Albair, “I also worked at Brown’s Jewelry on weekends and during the holiday season.”
Prior to becoming proprietor of Freme’s Jewelry, Albair worked as marketing director for an engineering and architectural firm, and immediately before purchasing the established fine jewelry business he worked in quality control for the potato industry. “I was on the road a lot and I decided that I was ready to commit to something closer to home, nine to five sounded very nice.”
At the time he purchased Freme’s the store was in the downtown mall location and by the early 1990s as a result of Loring Air Force Base closing, the mall in Presque Isle arriving and the J.C. Penney store relocating to Presque Isle, “The whole downtown went to pieces,” stated Albair. “That’s when I decided I needed to be in a small location.”
Albair not only moved to a new site, he stopped carrying 40 feet of china, also crystal, flatware and other gift items, he also decided against continuing an estimated 15 feet of costume jewelry. “By moving the store to where it is today, making the other changes, I reduced by location cost by 68 percent. It’s the best thing I ever did.” The jeweler now features sterling silver and carat gold jewelry items.
As with everything else, the cost of personal jewelry has increased. For example Albair estimated that in the mid 1960s a good watch would cost around $50 and a diamond engagement ring would swallow up a week’s wages costing $20 to $120, and a 14 carat gold wedding band would have been $20. Today a good watch runs $100, engagement rings are $299 and up and a 14-carat gold wedding band is around $100. Albair continued saying at that time a toaster or a percolator coffeepot was around $4.
“I work alone most of the time,” said Albair, “over the past years I’ve had some part-time help but they all either retired or went on to something else — I’ve never had anyone quit on me. Currently I do have one employee, Ella Leighton, of Fort Fairfield, who has worked part-time and weekends for 15 years.”
The local jeweler stated that the biggest change he has witnessed as a businessman is the amount of people moving out of the area. “The elimination of high paying and average paying jobs is typical right now in the northern tier states. The Northeast has a big problem — we need jobs.”
Albair said he has a great many repeat customers. “That’s what it’s all about, if customers feel comfortable with the service I provide and they‘re happy with the affordable quality of the jewelry they become regular customers.”
“Freme’s Jewelry offers overnight hand engraving, lay-a-ways, clock (mantle to grandfather) repair, watch cells replacement and jewelry repair, with most of these services done on site; ring sizing is sent to a master goldsmith in Boston. Albair also offers a number of options should a client wish to have a special piece of jewelry reset and is available for emergency jewelry repair. Albair also reminds potential customers that even though gold is high, he encourages anyone interested not to shy away from it. “It’s a good investment,” he said.
Albair stated,” It’s always nice to see the smiles on my customers faces and to hear their thank-you’s. I look forward to continue to bring happiness to individuals and to be a part of their lives on special events.”
Freme’s Jewelry is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call the store at 498-8778.
