In 1950, the year that saw the births of Phil Albair and his future wife, Kirsten Bell, Sam Freme opened a fine jewelry store in Caribou. When urban renewal forced Sam to relocate, he moved his store to the Skyway Plaza. Sam sold the business to his niece and her husband, Kathy and Tom Byrnes who eventually returned the store to downtown. In 1988, Phil and Kirsten Albair bought the business from Tom and Kathy, and, in 1994, Phil moved to a smaller, high-traffic space on the sunny side of the Downtown Mall which remains Freme’s current location.
Over the 62 years of its existence, Freme’s has been a retail source for sporting goods, fine china, crystal, and flatware in addition to diamonds and fine jewelry. Today, Freme’s focus is on fine jewelry, Citizen watches, and jewelry repair and/or redesign. Phil has carefully selected a few reputable sources of precious metals and quality diamonds and gemstones to create his inventory. Freme’s is the exclusive retailer north of Bangor for the Colore/SG line of earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets created with stunning gemstones set in either sterling silver or sterling silver and 18K gold. The Albairs have also added a line of Murano glass and sterling silver beads to help customers create their own jewelry “scrapbooks” or to add to their existing bracelets from other companies. Stackable Expressions rings allow a customer to create a unique look in sterling silver, enamel, and/or gemstones.
When Freme’s customers purchase or receive jewelry or time pieces, they can be confident knowing that the manufacturers stand behind the quality of their products and guarantee replacement of defective merchandise at no cost to the customer. When Freme’s customers do need repair on worn or damaged pieces of jewelry, they can expect the highest quality of workmanship in the industry. Phil and Kirsten take great joy in seeing the delight on a customer’s face when he or she sees the original beauty restored to a favorite or sentimental piece of jewelry.
Freme’s performs a number of other services, including engraving, cell replacement for all brands of watches and car starters, expert inspection and cleaning of fine jewelry, and clock repair. Phil also writes professional appraisals of fine jewelry for insurance or estate purposes. Phil pays the current daily price for scrap gold.
“Repeat customers are what it’s all about,” stated Albair. “If customers feel comfortable with the level of trust, service, and affordable quality, they become frequent customers. We thank everyone who has allowed us to become a part of their lives and celebrations.”
