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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,558
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

I was looking online and was surprised how many have closed. Understandable due to the economy, but many upscale brands are not experiencing this downsizing. There is no recognizable heir apparent. Skip the DS or DIL. Does Judith own the line wholly or are there investors? I ask these questions because she isn't getting any younger and I don't see the brand restructuring to address a future business plan.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,269
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

looks like just 3 regular stores remain..... long island, ny, and ny flagship stores are open now.

she also has 2 outlet stores in florida.

she is also in select jewelry stores, although i would think that the selection is not that large.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,946
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

The one in San Francisco closed months ago. I never saw any customers inside, only the guard with a gun and a depressed lookin clerk. I always window shop. Ripka Jewry is beyond beautiful, so elegant.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,558
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

Thank you. I was trying to figure out - without knowing inside information - if the QVC sales were subsidizing the stores. I had read that Judith licensed her designs to the Q but there must be some type of percentage of sales involved, too.
Super Contributor
Posts: 393
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

On 3/23/2014 LuvMM1 said: The one in San Francisco closed months ago. I never saw any customers inside, only the guard with a gun and a depressed lookin clerk. I always window shop. Ripka Jewry is beyond beautiful, so elegant.

Time flies - the SF store actually closed 4 years ago, in 2010, at a time when the economy was making it very difficult to keep the doors open for many businesses; and after a strong armed robbery: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?id=6792124

Contributor
Posts: 52
Registered: ‎10-31-2011

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

I was in her Las Vegas store, in the Forum, a year ago, and in the Beverly Hills store just a couple months ago. Are they both gone?

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,482
Registered: ‎05-30-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

Lots of designer stores have closed. De Beers closed in SF a few weeks back along with several other high end stores in the past couple of years.

I wouldn't worry about Judith. She's doing ok and her sons & daughter in-laws will eventually be running the business. There's more to worry about in this life besides Judith Ripka & her lovely jewelry business.

Super Contributor
Posts: 342
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

Didn't she just have the luxurious grand opening of a store in Moscow? She had pictures on her blog with all the royalty and important people and places; I think. With the political upheaval going on with Putin, I wonder if she would even dare to go back to Moscow without fearing for her life. I don't think Putin likes America or Americans.

I would hate to think of putting all that money in a store there and never be able to get to it again; that could be possible. If Putin decided to close it and confiscate all the contents, I guess he could.

Pretty scary. QVC buyers are the ones who probably have to support the other B&M stores that are left.

Hope it all works out.

tea

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,805
Registered: ‎03-03-2011

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

On 3/23/2014 moto said:
On 3/23/2014 LuvMM1 said: The one in San Francisco closed months ago. I never saw any customers inside, only the guard with a gun and a depressed lookin clerk. I always window shop. Ripka Jewry is beyond beautiful, so elegant.

Time flies - the SF store actually closed 4 years ago, in 2010, at a time when the economy was making it very difficult to keep the doors open for many businesses; and after a strong armed robbery: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?id=6792124

I use to pop into the SF store and check out the new stuff all the time. Kinda snobby...not friendly. I bought more Ripka on the Q than I ever would have there. When this robbery happened years ago I told DH that I was sure most of the jewelry would end up on ebay.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 762
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How many Ripka B&M stores are left?

I walk by the flagship store every day on my way to work and I have never seen anyone in there.