Richmond Jeweler Named “Distinguished Retailer” of 2015

Richmond, Va.--A jeweler down in the Mother of States has been named the 2015 Distinguished Retailer of the Year by a local association for the success of his family business and service to the community.

Ronnie Adolf is the owner of Adolf Jewelers in Richmond, Va. and received the award from the Retail Merchants Association. The association has been doling out the accolade every year since 1966 to local retailers who have a reputation for outstanding performance in their field and charitable giving throughout their community.

“Adolf Jewelers opened its doors--not exactly because we technically had no doors--in 1961,” Adolf wrote in his entry piece for the award. “Initially there were two employees, my mom and dad. They set up shop in a very small space in the Flair Store, Willow Lawn Shopping Center.”

A second space was opened in the mid-60s, also in the Flair Store, and Adolf joined the business in 1968, expanding from costume to fine jewelry and opening an official Adolf Jewelers location.

“The business continued to grow and we moved west to our current location in the Ridge Shopping Center in the early ‘80s,” he said. “Business was good! In 1996 we doubled in size and doubled again in 2007. Today we are fortunate to have a thriving business with 11 full-time employees.”

The store has been recognized by local publications Richmond Magazine, Style Weekly and the Richmond Times-Dispatch and awarded the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for business ethics and integrity in 2006.

Adolf Jewelers also supports more than two dozen charitable organizations in the community and beyond, including the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Richmond Ballet, the Ronald McDonald House, the World Pediatric Project and Massey Cancer Center, among others.

A GIA graduate, Adolf also contributes content to publications such as JCK and InStore magazine.

“While I could not be more proud of my business accomplishments, I’m most proud of my family,” the jeweler said. “My wife Susan, son Jason and daughter Robin all have, and continue to be, involved and support the family business.”

The Retail Merchants Association is dedicated to the success of local retailers and small businesses in greater Richmond and its surrounding communities.