~ A team that functions like family ~
Diamonds, watches, necklaces and rings – all the things that dazzle and bling – Grand Jewelers on Front Street, Philipsburg, has cultivated these kinds of delights for a quarter of a century now, and there’s no chance of slowing down soon.
They have also been cultivating loyal customers and happy employees. The secret to their success is the caring attitude and honest dealings that pervade every encounter at Grand Jewelers. That may sound like a glossy advert, but spend a few minutes in the store and observe the way this team operates and you’ll sense that it’s a genuine trait of each member of the team. The positive attitude trickles down from the top. “We are a family-run business and we really do treat everyone like they are family,” said owner Deepu Sakhrani during a visit with WEEKender. “From the employees to the customers, we like for everyone to feel happy and well treated.” Salesman Mickey Punjabi offered his thoughts: “We all work hard, but we work together, and that makes it a pleasure.” It’s a knack that they make look easy, personal attention to the customers and sincere interest in their lives, people will leave with smiles and they remember you; then they come back again and again.
In fact, just that kind of customer loyalty was on display when Tom and Jo Shelly and Kyle and Sara Potratz, time share owners from Ft. Dodge Iowa, walked in the door while the WEEKender correspondent was gathering background material for this retrospective. The families were happy to sing the praises of the Grand Jewelers team and pose for pictures, saying they have been coming to Grand Jewelers for more than 20 years. They laughed, “Every piece of jewellery we have, we’ve bought from Sunny [Mahtani, store manager], especially if there’s a diamond involved.” They originally heard about the store from friends who came in from shopping on Front Street with rings, necklaces, watches and more, gushing with enthusiasm: “You have to meet the nicest man!” Two decades later, they continue to build their relationship with Deepu, Sunny and their team of jewellery experts.
The Grand Jewelers story all started in St. Thomas with two brothers and the dream of running a grand jewellery store. In 1982, the Sakhrani brothers, Don and Jack, fulfilled that dream and by the 90s, Don Sakhrani, father of the current owner Deepu, developed the plan to branch out to St. Maarten. By April 19, 1991, the new Grand Jewelers store opened on Front Street, with “enterprising boss” at the helm and a fresh faced Suresh “Sunny” Mahtani in place as the store manager. “He was a wonderful boss,” recalls Sunny of Bhau ‘Kishoo.’ “He guided me through my formative years and I really miss him. He never questioned me on how the business was running, he trusted me and I have so much respect for him. I’m so blessed and very grateful to have been given this opportunity.”
The initial Grand Jewelers team consisted of Sunny along with Ash Dhansinghani and Steve Mirpuri. They immediately fell into a positive working relationship and developed a base of loyal clientele. Kamal “Mickey” Punjabi came in to replace Steve in 1996 when he departed for Singapore. Sunny recalls that in those days, they didn’t have security shutters on the windows, just took the jewellery at the end of the day and put it in the safe. The 90s had its share of difficulties, though. They survived hurricanes Luis and Lenny with minimal damage, although with Lenny, the Horizon View building in which they are housed had to be reinforced structurally after the sands shifted.
Now the team is nine strong, with five salesmen, three support staff and Sunny Mahtani as manager. Mickey Punjabi has been with the store the longest and Rajiv Harpalani, who joined the team in 2003. Then there is Neil Advani and Mike Rangwani, who have joined the store more recently. Mike expressed his appreciation for his colleagues and said he is learning a lot about customer service and about diamonds! Kiran Asrani is helping out behind the scenes, returning correspondence and keeping the social media presence up to date for the store. Rose Murray and Marieline Joseph are ready to assist anyone from cool drinks to casual conversation. They expressed their happiness to be associated with the store and be a part of the Grand Jewelers family. The store’s owner, Deepu Sakhrani, shares most of his time between Hong Kong and St. Thomas, which, according to Sunny, makes Grand Jewelers the only jewellery store on the island with the owner not on site.
They specialize in diamonds but also carry well-known brand names such as Charles Garnier, Ferragamo watches, Four Keeps, and Citizen Watches. Their diamonds come from Israel, Belgium and India. Whatever they do when working with the customers, they always remember to include the personal touch, to make it a special moment worth remembering. “I know if they are happy when they leave, they will tell others, and they will come back on their next trip,” says Sunny.
So the success of Grand Jewelers has brought them up to this milestone of a quarter century. They have taken the opportunity to reflect on their good fortunes and have decided to share with others as a way of saying thank you to the island that is their home and support system. Sunny: “I am proud that we are in a place where we are able to give back to the community on the occasion of our 25th anniversary.” The staff researched and consulted with friends and decided upon six charities that they wanted to support with a monetary contribution or with needed supplies.
The organizations chosen are I Can Foundation, which gives a home to children in need (US $1,000 donation), Miss Lalie Center, which works with at-risk boys helping keep them out of trouble ($1000 US donation), Prins Willem Alexander School, which specializes in teaching challenged children (IPAD Air 2, 86-inch Projector Screen and Unifi Enterprise Wi-Fi system), the Player Development Program of St. Maarten Little League, which works with academic, social and/or physical challenges amongst its players (donated cost for one student to travel with team: US $544.31); White Yellow Cross Foundation, which runs St. Maarten Home for the Elderly, as well as Sister Basilia Centre, which provides a residential home for disabled youth and adults(US $1,000 donation). Last, Gamali Benjamin Foundation, which honours our island’s fallen police officer and supports his family, in particular his young son (US $750 donation).
As Grand Jewelers enters their next chapter, they hope to widen their connections to the local community and the larger society. They invite all to stop by and get to know them in person, congratulate them on 25 wonderful years, and perhaps consider something sparkly! Why not? Grand Jewelers is located at 49-A Front Street in the Horizon View building. They are open Mondays-Saturdays 9:00am-5:0pm and Sundays 9:00am-2:00pm. Call 543-2124 or visit www.grandjewelers.com
