Jeweler receives statewide family business award

Greensboro, N.C.--Schiffman’s Jewelers has been named the 2014 North Carolina Family Business of the Year in the century category by the Wake Forest University Family Business Center and Business North Carolina.

The company will be honored at an awards celebration scheduled to take place at the Mint Museum Randolph in Charlotte, N.C. on May 8. The century category includes businesses that are 100 years old or more.

Schiffman’s was founded in 1893 when Simon Schiffman opened the doors of his first jewelry store in Greensboro, N.C. Today the company is owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Schiffman family.

There are currently two Schiffman’s Jewelers stores in Greensboro and one in Winston-Salem, N.C. 

The family also owns and operates Sylvan’s Jewelers in Columbia, S.C.; Keller & George Jewelers in Charlottesville, Va.; Schwarzschild Jewelers in Richmond, Va.; and Shreve & Co. in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Calif., and Portland, Ore.

The Schiffman family has been an active member of its community since the company was first founded. Three generations of family members have served as chairman of the Greensboro (now Guilford) Merchants Association. The company also supports local organizations such as The Junior League, Family Service of Greensboro, The Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, and more.

“We’re honored to have been named a North Carolina Family Business of the Year,” said Vice President Lane Schiffman. “Family is the heart of everything we do. Every generation has made a unique contribution to our success: our great-grandparents set the foundation for our business, our grandfather grew it and helped to establish our statewide reputation, and our dad expanded it beyond the state borders. My brothers and I strive to continue their legacy.”

The North Carolina Family Business of the Year awards are presented annually by the Wake Forest University Family Business Center and are divided into four categories: century, large, medium and small.

A business must have its headquarters in North Carolina to be nominated for the award. 

The companies are evaluated based on innovative business strategies and practices, growth and development, contributions to the community and industry, involvement by family members, and commitment to family well-being.