Home | About Us
About Us
From JB Hudson Jewlers' present elegant downtown Minneapolis location it is difficult to visualize the unpretentious little store where J.B.Hudson first set-up shop in Minnesota. Back in 1885 when Josiah Bell Hudson established his new business at 230 Nicollet Mall, his store measured a mere 18x22 feet!
Josiah Bell (J.B.) Hudson
Josiah Bell Hudson was born in Greenfield, Ohio on August 1, 1850. His parents were James David Hudson and Mary Bell Hudson. He attended school until the age of twelve, when economic hardships hit the country due to the Civil War. It was then necessary for him to take a clerking position to supplement the family income. Josiah continued to study on his own; furthering his education as best he could.
|
Josiah Bell (J.B.) Hudson |
In 1876, Josiah purchased his employers controlling interest in the firm Furtwanger Jewelers, where he had first learned his trade on the bench. The store was located in the Washington Courthouse, Ohio. Josiah was assisted by his new bride Mary Emma Gibbs, whom he married in the neighboring town of Portsmouth, Ohio on June 7th, 1885. During the first years of their marriage, a son, Walter Gibbs Hudson and a daughter, Bertha Willard Hudson, were born.
|
Syndicate Bank location (1891-1911)
First store built expressly for JB Hudson
Store circa 1950
|
First store opened in 1885
J.B.Hudson came to the young and growing city of Minneapolis in June of 1885. The location at 230 Nicollet was in the very heart of this bustling river city. The first store was located between the Wisconsin Central/Northern Pacific Railroad ticket office and Truedell's Wood and Coal Suppliers!
In 1891, J.B. Hudson moved his thriving business up Nicollet away from the river to 519 Nicollet Avenue, which was the Syndicate Block building. His contemporaries predicted his business would fail; saying the consumer traffic and heart of the city would always be the bet near the river. Again J.B.Hudson's visions proved correct. The city of Minneapolis grew up Nicollet mall, leaving the river area behind as a warehouse district.
Fire destroys the store in 1911
In 1909, the firm was incorporated under the name of J.B.Hudson & son Walter as Vice President. Business flourished due to the high quality merchandise and service Hudson's offered its customers. Progress was interrupted, however, when fire destroyed the store on March 15, 1911.
The fire gutted the entire building in which his store was located, making of it a complete loss, including his very excellent stock of merchandise. Keen business judgment, always a believer in insurance and protection, the fire found Mr. Hudson amply covered which allowed him to open a much finer and larger jewelry establishment. After the fire, Hudson relocated at 33 South Seventh Street, and the store continued to grow until it was one of the largest and most complete jewelry establishments in the country.
Riding the crest of his success, in 1921 Hudson moved into more glamorous quarters next door at 29-31 South Seventh. The "sumptuous" new shop was said to "eclipse the present establishment in many respects," with 2000 feet more floor space, elaborate chandeliers, electric showcase lighting and rich mahogany fixtures.
The following year, a dynamic new personality, James Dougherty joined J.B. Hudson's as General Manager. He contracted for one year but stayed for 29! Dougherty and Hudson had met by chance in Los Angeles. Dougherty's colorful background as Hawaii National Guardsman, military aid to five Hawaiian governors, Shriner, Elksman and jeweler must have intrigued Hudson. When the Hudson general manager became ill, Josiah sought a commitment from Dougherty to fill the position. The results were so mutually agreeable that when Hudson encouraged a longer contract, Dougherty willingly accepted.
back to top
JB Hudson purchased by the Dayton Company in 1929
Following Josiah's death in 1928, there followed a period of uncertainty about the firm's future. Josiah's son, Walter, had left and gone into business elsewhere and the JB Hudson staff was unsure about the direction the company should take.
The solution came with the purchase of JB Hudson by the Dayton Company in June of 1929. Nelson Dayton, corporate executive, had been searching for new roads of expansion. JB Hudson with its fine reputation, provided a potential "prestige department" which would surely "add to the standing of the store." It was said that many a young woman of the day did not feel engaged until a Hudson diamond graced her finger! Allying with such a firm would doubtless be beneficial.
back to top
A name change and beautiful new location
The new agreement stipulated that J.B.Hudson and Son would become J.B.Hudson, Inc. and would move into the Eighth and Nicollet corner of the Dayton's store. Even though Dayton's gained a proportionate share of Hudson stock and George Dayton became president, James Dougherty and his staff would still directly run the store. Sensitive to the loyal clientele of J.B.Hudson, George Dayton assured present patrons that they would find "old faces and old policies in force."
The beautifully appointed new store with its walnut fixtures and travertine stone was decorated in a modified Spanish Renaissance style. Connecting with Daytons were grilled iron doors set in marble archways, through which many curious citizens poured on opening day in November 1929.
The wrought iron gates were designed and handmade by Josef Bernasek, a Bohemian craftsman for Flour City Ornamental Iron Company. He also did the iron railing at the Young-Quinlan store, the ironwork in the Foshay Tower lobby and the famous doors of the Tribune Tower in Chicago.
The flower bedecked, gala atmosphere of the opening was dimmed only weeks later by the financial crash that rocked the country. The luxury shop subsequently struggled through some lean years! Much to the credit of Dougherty and his associates, JB Hudson survived.
With the advent of World War II, the store recovered financially along with the rest of the nation. In 1943, sales surpassed the $1,000,000 mark.
The prosperous 40's became the 1950's, an era of several changes at JB Hudson.
James Dougherty, "the dean of Minneapolis jewelers," retired in 1951 and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Stanley S. Smith. Southdale, JB Hudson's first branch store, opened in 1956.
The 75th Anniversary of JB Hudson ushered in the 1960's. Expansion gained momentum with the opening of JB Hudson in downtown St. Paul in 1963, Brookdale Center in 1966 and Rosedale in 1969, followed by Ridgedale and Rochester in 1974, and Burnsville in 1977.
back to top
A history of unsurpassed quality
During its one hundred-plus year history, Hudson's has created, displayed, engraved and repaired some notable merchandise. The Minneapolis Aquatennial Crown, set with semi-precious stones and still used today, was created during James Dougherty's time. A privately owned collection of Steuben glass with owners such as Queen Elizabeth, Charles DeGaulle, King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark, and other European notables, was displayed for the public in 1963 at JB Hudson. A collection of Thomsonite jewelry, made of the unique Minnesota stone, was created and sold exclusively by the firm. Patek Philippe watch company was invited to show its collection of $33,000 watches with bands made of Peruvian butterfly wings. For the 75th anniversary JB Hudson displayed, under heavy guard, the $4,500,000 Crown of the Andes. Made of gold and emeralds, the crown was originally made as a "thank offering" to a statue of Virgin Mary for delivering a Columbian town from a plague epidemic in 1590.
Henry Birks and Sons of Montreal, Canada, purchased JB Hudson Jewlers on April 2, 1982 from the Dayton Hudson Company.
Since September 1992, JB Hudson has been privately owned and has been brought back to it's original glory and tradition.
Josiah B. Hudson would be rightfully proud of the tradition his jewelry store has maintained for well over 100 years!
back to top
|
|
|
|
