Lamon’s exit from trade ends Saturday – Oxford Eagle

Seven decades later, Lammons Fine Jewelry, 1126 N. Lamar Blvd. It closes for good at 2pm. For the past ten weeks, Allen and Nancy King have been busy getting out of their business, whose prices are now down 75 percent.

Owners Allen and Nancy King have decided to retire after more than four decades of providing jewelry for young and old in Oxford.

“There is so much,” said Nancy. “We have a grandchild on the way and want to spend more time with them. My 95 year old mother lives in Birmingham with my sister and we like to visit with them.

Nancy started working in business with her father, Mike Lamon, when she was 8 years old and the business was located in Lexington. She and her husband moved back to Oxford in 1984 and bought the business from Nancy’s father in 1996. They moved to their current location in 2009.

All told, Lammons Fine Jewelry has been in business since 1947.

“We had a really good run,” said Allen, an Oxford native. “Oxford has been very helpful since we spoke. In doing so we find ourselves with some sorrow and bitterness, but it is the choice we are making, not the choice we are. which has To work, that’s the good part about it.

“Maybe like anything else, we have a grandchild that we don’t get to see much of; She lives about four hours away, and we can’t get to her as much as we’d like to. We can’t do that now.

“So that was the tipping point. There were other reasons – at our age and still in good health, we wanted to travel and see some things.

“As much as anything, I’m looking for a normal Christmas,” he added with a laugh. “We haven’t had a normal Christmas in 45 years!”

Allen received his technical training at the Paris Institute of Jewelry Technology in Paris, Texas. Nancy grew up working in her father’s store, using her art to “bring together the perfect mix of jewelry,” according to the company’s website.

In addition to the booming business with consumers and their friends, Facebook is pleased with the feedback from long-time customers:

• “Our family has enjoyed doing business with you for many years and we will certainly miss your genuine hospitality. Congratulations on your retirement. “
• “Everyone at Lammon is so nice. Their hospitality will be missed. Congratulations on your retirement. “
• “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me over the years and enjoy your retirement!”

One comment from the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County said, “Thank you for all you do for our organization and our community, Nancy! Thank you very much and we hope you enjoy your retirement.

The Kings pointed to the role that employee Laura Lehner played in their success. “She’s been an integral part of what we’ve been doing for the last eight years — we couldn’t have done it without her,” Allen said. “It was like a miracle that we hired her – we weren’t looking for someone, but we needed one. At first we do not know her; But she came looking for jewelry for herself. We started talking and realized we had a common family connection and it was a perfect fit all this time.

While the Kings appreciate their time in business, it is their friends they cherish most.

“We’ve met so many wonderful people who started as clients and became friends,” says Allen. “It was a magical run for us.”