Odds and Ends From The MUSEUM!
By Trudy Wyman, Curator, Millinocket Historical Society Museum
Nine or ten…that is how many jewelry stores have operated on Penobscot Avenue in Millinocket! And that doesn’t include businesses that also carried some jewelry along with other products. Two of the earliest were A. B. Clay and S. M. Boynton and both were included The Old Town Enterprise’s Millinocket Industrial Supplement, April 10, 1924.
Clay was a watchmaker by trade. He opened his jewelry shop about 1915 and was known locally “for the quick and satisfactory adjustment of watch and other timepieces and for the well selected stock of diamonds, watches, clocks, jewelry and cut glass.” Clay was known for his ability to repair any kind of jewelry and prided himself on being able to repair any “jewelry mishap.” Clay carried a line of suitable gifts for any occasion. The lady shopper was able to find a pendant or earrings “to match any gown.”
S. M. Boynton was in business from about 1920-1935 and had much experience in watch repair. The newspaper states, “If you find your watch has been far from accurate, Mr. Boynton is the doctor who will regulate it for you, for one does not take a great deal of pride in a time-piece that is not exact.”
Scouring through yearbook ads, older newspapers, plus a resource titled Blocks & Lots and examining old photos of Penobscot Avenue and trying to read the business signs reveals the names and sometimes information on former Millinocket businesses. The location of the two above mentioned shops has not been determined.
Among the other local jewelry stores mentioned in one source or another are Boyington’s Jewelry Store (Cye Boyington) and Nadeau’s Jewelry Store (both in the 1930’s with Nadeau extending into the 1950’s). Walsh’s Jewelry Store (John F. Walsh, proprietor) was in business from the 1930’s into the early 1960’s. Harry Gonya’s Jewelry store is mentioned in one source but no dates etc. except that Yvette Gonya was manager. Mott’s Gift and Jewelry was in business in the 1960’s and Day’s Jewelry in the 1970’s. Many will remember Wilson’s as a longtime business from the late 1960’s into the early 2000’s.
Ferland’s Jewelers was a long-time business on Penobscot Avenue from the early 1950’s until recently. It was first located in one of the early Rush buildings (later Katahdin Karpets) and more recently next to the Decker-Gonya block near the Penobscot Avenue Central Street intersection.
If you have information, photos (we accept scans) or any information on any of these former local businesses, signs, advertisements, calendars or other memorabilia, please be in touch!
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