Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Carol Wagner Heather Pahl and her husband, David, are the new owners of Martin Jewellers in Shawano, which is keeping the doors open while the interior undergoes some changes.
Heather and David Pahl are realizing a dream they have had for years after becoming the new owners of Martin Jewellers in Shawano. They purchased the building and business from Jim Martin, who is David’s first cousin and godfather.
“I grew up knowing Martin Jewellers when it was on Franklin Street,” Heather Pahl said.
Two years ago Martin mentioned to them he was thinking about retiring.
“We told him we were interested in the store,” Pahl said.
Pahl got some experience working in jewelry stores in Madison while earning a degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is now taking courses at the Gemological Institute of America.
“I’m not nearly as good as the team we have,” she said.
Pahl is trying to minimize the inconvenience to customers while giving the interior a fresh look with new carpet, walls, ceiling, lighting, electrical and security systems.
The new owners are using all local contractors, with Maule Construction as the head contractor.
Heather Pahl said the store will continue with the same line of items and will also continue engraving, along with watch and clock repair.
They hope to be finished with the interior by the end of May or early June.
They will also keep the name Martin Jewellers.
“It’s so well known and has a great reputation,” Pahl said. “It means a lot to us that Jim and Dorothy Martin trust us enough to keep the name.”
David Pahl works for John Deere. The couple has two children in college.
During the renovation, customers can use the back door during shop hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.