Nettleton's Jewellery store closing after more than a century of business in Ottawa
The family brand's local presence began in 1916 when George Nettleton quit working at his father's jewellery store to start his own shop on Queen Street with a business partner
Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 19, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 3 minute read
When Cameron and Geoffrey Nettleton lock the doors of their namesake jewellery store for the final time later this month, it will mark the end of more than 100 years in business and four generations of Ottawa retail history.
“The government asked me once what my job was,” says Cameron Nettleton, 66, who officially began working full-time in his father’s store in 1975, though he’s been pitching in part-time since he was 12 years old.
“I said, ‘Well, I come in in the morning and I clean toilets. Then I serve customers. Then I write paycheques. And then in the evening, I fight with the landlord over the rent. Whatever needs to be done that day, you do.”
Nettleton’s local presence began in 1916 when George Nettleton — Cameron’s grandfather — quit working at his father’s jewellery store in Penetanguishene, north of Barrie, Ont., to start his own shop in Ottawa on Queen Street, with a business partner, William Haskett. The store was later moved to 93 Bank Street and eventually had a presence in multiple other locations.
George bought out his partner and then, when he died in 1947, his son, Douglas, took over.
Douglas, in turn, passed the shop on to his sons, Richard, Cameron and Geoffrey. The Westgate Mall location opened in 1988 and is now the only location.
Over the years, Nettleton’s engagement rings have graced the fingers of countless brides-to-be, and the brothers have been bringing the bling for generations with their earrings, pendants and brooches.
But the company was most noted for its watches and watch repairs. They were official watch inspectors for the Grand Trunk Railway and later the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways. Accurate timekeeping was essential for rail workers, both to maintain schedules and for safety reasons.
“Employees used to have to come in every six weeks with their watch and a card. We’d make sure their watch was on time and we’d sign the card,” Cameron said.
“If they were caught on the job without that card up to date they’d be docked points. And if those points kept getting docked, they’d become dollars deducted off the paycheque. It was essential because the trains ran by hand-held watch.”
As technology advanced, however, watches became less essential.
“It was every six weeks, then eventually it was every six months, then once a year and once computers came along it all fell by the wayside,” he said.
Over the years, Nettleton’s has been known for its customer service. It’s what’s kept Ottawa’s Sherry Graves-Morrison coming back. She dropped into the store Wednesday afternoon for a quick fix of a locket that came from her great aunt.
“I saw the notice they were closing before Christmas and knew I wanted to come in one last time, but I’m just getting around to it now,” Graves-Morrison said.
“There’s the longevity and the dependability. And they don’t try to up-sell you on stuff,” she said.
Cameron disappeared into the back for a few minutes before reappearing with the locket.
“No charge,” he said. “This is my gift to you.
“I don’t want to pat myself on the back, but I tell people, ‘You’ll never see customer service like you’ve had here for the last 47 years,'” he adds.
Richard, the oldest of that generation of Nettleton sons, retired a few years ago for health reasons. Cameron, himself, suffered a heart attack in November, leaving Geoffrey to manage the store alone in December.
“It was the busiest month we’ve ever had, clearing out inventory,” Cameron said. “You work your whole life for a month like that.”
Nettleton’s lease is up in February and with the future of Westgate Mall uncertain with redevelopment plans underway, the brothers decided it was time to close for good. None of their children joined the family business. The pandemic only added to the problem.
The brothers say they’ll keep the Nettleton’s phone number for another year so customers can still contact them. In retirement, Cameron plans to recuperate from his heart attack and golf, but he’s not ready to say goodbye to the business entirely.
“I’ve been doing it all my life. I love it,” he says. “If someone wants me to work for them, I’d consider it. But I want my name to be at the top of the cheque, not at the bottom of it.”
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...ness-in-ottawa
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