Wilder’s marks 80th birthday
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Wilder’s Jewelry Store is marking its 80th birthday — a rather fitting major milestone for a business first established as a repair shop for time pieces.
Located at 407 Main St. in Presque Isle, the shop now offers everything from jewelry and fine china to designer bags.
“Isaac B. Wilder founded the business in 1932. He started out on State Street, changing locations a couple of times. He moved to the current location in 1960,” said Cathy Beaulieu, owner.
Beaulieu bought the established jewelry store in 1996.
“All I’ve ever done for jobs is this type of work. I’ve worked in jewelry stores since I was 18. I studied business and gems in New York City,” said Beaulieu, a Fort Kent native who now resides with her husband, Charles, and their three children in East Chapman.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
WILDER’S JEWELRY STORE has been located at its Main Street site in Presque Isle since 1960.
The business has changed incredibly over the past 80 years, said Beaulieu.
“That’s why it has survived. We’ve kept track with the economy and business demand,” she said.
In the beginning, Beaulieu said the store specialized in time pieces.
“When Ike first opened, he used to only do watch repairs. He did all the timing pieces for the railroad,” explained Beaulieu.
Next came dishware.
“Ike’s wife was a very good seamstress. She’d take trips to Boston to buy fabric to make suits. Wives from the area would ask her to pick up china when she went to Massachusetts. That’s how the business expanded to include giftware,” said Beaulieu.
Beaulieu said customer loyalty has played a major role in the store’s success.
“We’re on the fourth generation of some family weddings. A lot of our work now involves bridal and engagement — fixing loose stones, resetting,” she said.
Like Mrs. Wilder, Beaulieu too has put her own touch on the business, incorporating designer bags and a modern line of jewelry.
“The introduction of Pandora jewelry and Vera Bradley bags has been very popular with our customers. We’ve maintained giftware lines as well,” said Beaulieu, noting Wilder’s is one of only a few shops in Aroostook County that sells similar items.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HEIDI RACKLIFFE, of Washburn, looks for the perfect gift for a loved one as she checks out the wide selection of Vera Bradley bags at Wilder’s Jewelry Store, located on Main Street in Presque Isle.
“Aroostook County people are still old-fashioned — like to touch and feel merchandise. Because of that, we get to know people and what they like. We’ve been very fortunate in that respect,” Beaulieu.
Beaulieu said she’s especially grateful to have such a wonderful location for the business, in the heart of town.
“Downtown is the hub. It’s like a little community in and of itself. When one (business) does well, we all do well,” she said. “The First Friday Art Walk has been great for downtown. We’ll be open for ‘Go Red for Women’ — promoting women’s heart health in February.”
“Women keep us open 11 months of the year, while men are the primary customers for the remaining month. Go Red celebrates women’s heart health. We’re looking forward to taking part again this year,” said Beaulieu.
When asked what the most popular items are, Beaulieu said it involves the three B’s.
“Our most popular items would have to be anything bridal, beads and bags,” said Beaulieu. “We’ve been lucky over the years and look forward to serving our customers for many more years, as we continue to grow.”
Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 764-0309, or look for Wilder’s Jewelry Store on Facebook.
