Mt. Pleasant's Kropff Jewelers to close at month's end

Effective Sept. 30, Mt. Pleasant Borough will bid farewell to one of its longtime businesses, as the doors to Kropff Jewelers will be closed for the last time on that date.

Denny Kropff, the business's owner, recently sold the building the business currently occupies at 532 W. Main St. to an undisclosed party, he said.

“I really wasn't looking to sell, but I felt that it was an opportunity that may not present itself again,” Kropff said. “I just felt that it was an opportunity that I should take advantage of.”

Kropff is part of the third generation in his family that has been known for jewelry and watch repair work for more than 100 years.

“My grandfather (Clement Kropff) opened his store in 1911 in Scottdale, and we have been in business ever since,” Kropff said.

The Scottdale store is owned and operated by Kropff's twin brother Douglas Kropff.

“We are the oldest, family-owned jewelry business in Westmoreland County,” he said.

Wishing to branch out, Kropff's father, Richard Kropff, with partners Harry Fosbrink and Ralph Stone, both of Connellsville, purchased Posner's Jewelry Store located at the Mt. Pleasant building in 1973.

“They were partners for a few years until my dad bought the building in the late '70s early (or) early '80s,” Kropff said.

Although Kropff said that he and his brother would help periodically in their father's and grandfather's stores, neither were encouraged to pursue the family business.

“My brother always seemed to have an interest, but I did other things first,” Kropff said.

His early work included landscaping and gardening and a state job he held until he was laid off.

“It was then that I started to get involved more in the business,” he said.

Kropff then attended watch repair classes to hone his skills in the family trade. He then took over the Mt. Pleasant store in 1981.

“I went to Jack Keck's (jewelry store) in Madison,” Kropff said. “He offered a small school there for watch repair.”

It is that skill that has kept Kropff busy through the years, as much of his clientele is made up of people seeking repairs for their watches.

“I have guys coming from as far as Pittsburgh to have their watches repaired,” Kropff said.

On the jewelry side of the business, Kropff said that he has seen changes in the trends of what interests customers and what they purchase.

“We are selling a lot more solid gold now,” Kropff said. “Before it was silver- or gold-filled. Now it's more white gold, sterling silver and diamond jewelry. About 30 years ago was when the gold chains got so popular, and now it is swinging back to white gold and silver. Its an ever-changing cycle.”

When Kropff decided to sell his building, he looked for another location on Main Street, he said.

“We'd love to see him stay, but all of our store fronts on Main Street are full,” borough Mayor Gerald Lucia said. “Kropff's has been here for many years, and they have been a big part of the business district here in town, and we hate to see him go. We hope that one day he will be able to come back.”

Small businesses like the one owned by Kropff are a vital part of town locally, said Leon Mowry II, manager of Saloom Department Store, a neighboring Main Street business.

“If he does leave I hope to see him return one day,” he said.

Kropff is planning to move his watch repair business to his brother's store in Scottdale, he said. While he will be putting his many display cases in storage for now, he hopes to one day return to Mt. Pleasant, he said.

“I'd like to stay here, I really would,” Kropff said. “I am planning to retire in three and a half years or so, and I would like to come back here to do so. Mt. Pleasant is one of the best retail towns in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and I have done well here. I have stayed busy and that's a good thing.”

Marilyn Forbes is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.