Submitted by L. Jeanette Strole Parks for Kluh Jewelers
March is most undoubtedly famous for St. Patrick’s Day and college basketball, or perhaps if you’re a history buff, the assassination of Julius Caesar. If you are a Thurston County resident and you have been here long enough, you might also be familiar with the annual Unclaimed Layaway Sale extravaganza at Kluh Jewelers.
Happening March 23, 2013, at their store in South Sound Center, the sale is an event for which local shoppers mark their calendars and get in line early. Storeowner, Matt Kluh, confirms that this is the biggest sale they have all year, when the vault gets cleaned out and items are heavily reduced to make room for other inventory. Four hundred items are up for grabs, including unclaimed layaways, overstock, discontinued items, and estate jewelry.
Jaw-dropping price-busters such as a solitaire one-carat diamond reduced from $7,000 to $2,999.99, or 14K gold hoop earrings for $4.99 – that originally sold for $100 – provide shoppers with items for every price bracket. If you are eager to see what will be on sale, stop by the store in advance to take a sneak peek at the handful of featured items in the preview case.
On the day of this massive sale, the store does not open its doors until 9:55 a.m., but Kluh’s employees will be outside an hour ahead of time to hand out numbered tickets to everyone in line. One hundred customers or more are usually waiting in line, so shoppers are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to have first dibs on their favorite items. Everyone will be entered for prizes and giveaways, including a $250 shopping spree while they wait their turn to enter the store.
In years past, this event has drawn loyal customers who have camped outside on the sidewalk the night before to be first in line. Kluh assures us that this is not some free-for-all, but rather a family-friendly party atmosphere, with lots of fun and games. His coworker, Ursula Flom, jokes, “You don’t have to wear boxing gloves or helmets when you come to the Unclaimed Layaway Sale.”
As an example of how devoted some of their shoppers are, Kluh recalled a man who camped overnight and even set up a barbecue. “So we decided to go buy him some steaks to grill.”
“I like to come here not only for the sale but throughout the year because I find the most unique things,” says frequent customer Leanna Dimmick.
For the Kluh staff, customer loyalty is a really big component of their business practice, which they strive to nurture in their clients. They are pleased with their long-time fans, and hope to draw in a lot of new shoppers as well. As they explain, one family in particular comes to the Unclaimed Layaway sale yearly to stock up on gift items. Flom mentioned that they arrive each time with a long list of friends and relatives for whom they will shop and then set their gifts aside for the rest of the year. The staff at Kluh’s make every effort to encourage their customers to come back again.
Sheila Geisler and her husband, Ben, are among those who come every year, as well. Says Geisler, “I’m glad that I’ll be off on that day this year. Usually I’m working and my husband Ben has to stand in for me because this sale is one of my favorites. They have the best deals. This year we are looking for a present for Ben’s mother.”
So whether you are inclined to shop for yourself or a loved one, or you have a special event sometime this year that might need a high-quality gift at a low cost, circle March 23 on your calendar. You don’t want to miss it!
(Please note that this is a cash, check or bank-card event only.)
701 Sleater Kinney Rd, Suite 23
Lacey, WA 98503
