Remember This? Cripps Jewellery and Gifts, behind the business

From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:

For many of us, precious jewellery holds emotional or sentimental value. We cherish the memory of the time and place we received such treasures and of course, the people who bestow them upon us. For others, certain pieces of jewellery and fine gifts bring back fond memories of where they were purchased. Former retailer Frank Cripps Jewellery and Gifts was one of these special places.

This week, we remember the Churchill Plaza gem, Frank Cripps Jewellery and Gifts and the man behind the business.

In 1967, Frank and his wife Elizabeth “Bette” Cripps moved their young family from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie and settled into their new home on Palace Drive. Frank purchased Trilawn Jewellers in the Churchill Plaza and re-named it Frank Cripps Jewellery and Gifts. For a period after moving to Sault Ste. Marie Frank also managed the Churchill Plaza.

In the store, the Cripps sold quality diamonds and fine jewellery, watches, and costume jewellery. They also stocked crystal, giftware, silverware and fine china, including Royal Doulton. The store offered ear piercing and engraving services. Shoppers were helped by staff members Fern, Rilla, Barb, Anita, Hazel, and Thea. The Cripps children, Keith, David, Richard, and Jennifer, also worked at the store. Frank’s son David, who learned the jewellery business over the years, eventually took over operations in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Frank was a highly skilled hand engraver. Before moving to Sault Ste. Marie, he worked as an engraver at Imperial Engravers, located at 111 Jarvis St. in Toronto. His wooden-handled engraver had a variety of different interchangeable tips. Frank’s personal engraving style was unique, but he would always offer to engrave in the preferred style of the buyer. He engraved silver plaques, trophies, pendants, dog tags, and much more. For a time, he was the only person in Sault Ste. Marie to offer genuine hand engraving. He began to use a machine engraver only after his eyesight declined with age.

Located at the back of the jewellery store was Watch Works, a small watch and clock repair business run by Bette. The Cripps jewellery store was the first retailer in Sault Ste. Marie to sell the Seiko watch brand. Just like the Seiko slogan boasts, Frank Cripps Jewellery and Gifts was “one step ahead of the rest”.

On October 30th, 1976, Frank and Bette attended the Jewellers Ball at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto where they received the “Jeweller of the Year” Gold Nugget Award. This award was presented annually to the most outstanding jeweller of the year in Ontario. At the time, Frank and Bette were the only Sault residents to have received this honour.

While receiving provincial accolades for their jewellery store, the Cripps family also owned and operated a dairy farm. Yes, a dairy farm! In 1974, Frank and his family moved to MacLennan Road in Desbarats to run the dairy farm. Having received only one week’s worth of instruction from the previous owner, the Cripps dairy farm achieved success over a few short years. Milk production increased from 6,000 pounds per year to 12,800 pounds per year. The farm started with 25 cows and an 870-pound milk quota. By 1978, the herd had 50 cows and a 1,575-pound milk quota. In that same year, the Dairy Herd Improvement Association presented the Cripps farm with the award for the most improved dairy herd in Algoma. The Cripps farm was also awarded for the best calving interval (13.5 months for the entire herd).

Frank continued to play the dual role of farmer and jeweller for a time until his son Keith took over the farm operations. Around 1985, Frank was experiencing a decline in health and chose not to renew the lease for the jewellery store in the Churchill Plaza. Frank sought out new opportunities and adventures, which included many rounds of golf with Bette!

Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provide SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more "Remember This?" columns here.