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Gems of Fort Lauderdale 2009
Broward County Library Foundation Literary Feast
Proclamation Presentation
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Grand Opening
Having Dinner at China Grill
High Heel Hike on Las Olas Blvd. on October 11th
Marino Foundation Cigar Smoker Event held on Sept 22nd
Alexis de Toqueville event at the Levinson's home.
Alonzo Mourning Charities event at Bova in Boca Raton
City and Shore, An Evening of Sparkling Gems, July 2008
2008 Gems of Fort Lauderdale
Levinson Jewelers Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Opening November, 2008 - Levinson On Las Olas
Mark and Robin Levinson - Rock Solid
Silver and Gold Standard
Ocean Drive Magazine, January 2008

Press Archive

Monday, January 14, 2008
Silver and Gold Standard

They started out in 1983, a young couple with a single counter at a jewelry exchange in Plantation. She knew gems and retailing; he knew business. Together, Mark and Robin Levinson took risks, all in the name of helping customers find the pieces that would help them enhance life’s occasions, large and small. "It was something we were passionate about, and we got to do it together," Robin says. Hard to imagine that over the next 25 years, Levinson Jewelers would evolve into one of the nation's top independent jewelers, a business known for its collection, its customer service and its community presence. Robin and Mark can still point to the spot where they sold their first piece. But the rest of the exchange is long gone. After a series of expansions and a full redesign, Levinson Jewelers - at 8138 W Broward Blvd. - is now an elegantly appointed 10,000-square-foot jewelry showcase, home to some of the world's most exclusive collections in a space that's part store, part salon. The business also evolved into one of the region's most active social hubs, as the Levinsons play host to countless charity events, line introductions and fund raisers, both in the store and at outside locations. "We like to support our customers and the charities they care about," Robin says. It's customer support, in fact, that has anchored the growth of the Levinsons' business. That means everything from helping a customer find the right statement piece to wear to an important event, to following trends in high-performance men's watches, one of the fastest growing facets of jewelry retailing. The Levinsons trace their success to a philosophy they developed in their exchange days: Everyone who walks into the store is a potential customer, and every customer deserves honesty and attention. Mark remembers the day a young couple walked into the exchange. They were dressed casually in shorts, pushed a stroller, and received little or no attention from the other booths. "We smiled at them, we talked to them, and they ended up buying a 10-ct. diamond," Mark remembers. "It was us being non- judgmental of what a customer looked like, interacting with them and seeing where it all leads." That exchange reinforced the importance of embracing the diverse tastes, styles and needs of their South Florida customers. Today, at their jewelry counters and social events, the Levinsons welcome a cross section of South Floridians: Baby Boomers, young style setters and retirees. Part of the Levinson story is about marketing through relationships with high-profile South Floridians. Billboards of prominent sports and business figures have a presence throughout the region, many featuring the company's slogan, "Live Life…..Levinson Style." Most notable and enduring are Dan and Claire Marino, arguably South Florida's leading celebrity couple. The Miami Dolphins legend remembers walking into Levinson Jewelers more than two decades ago to buy a gift for Claire when she was pregnant with their first child. That purchase began a business relationship and a friendship, and now, Dan and Claire Marino are the spokescouple for Levinson Jewelers, appearing frequently in advertisements and at the jeweler's events. "Dan and Claire are the most loyal people in the world," Mark Levinson says. In turn, the Levinsons have helped raise countless dollars for the Dan Marino Foundation and the charities it supports. "Life is about relationships," Dan says. "With Robin and Mark, it's about doing business with people who really care. It's a nice feeling." Complementary strengths have helped keep the Levinson partnership strong. Watching Robin work with customers at a jewelry counter is like watching a bunch of friends try things on for each other's approval. She's passionate about keeping up with trends in jewelry and fashion and wants her customers to see whether her new items fit their style. "It's not really work, it's fun," says Robin who uses the term "playing with jewelry" to describe how she interacts with customers of the counter. Mark also knows that building a team is the backbone of their operation. "We're one of the few jewelry stores that pay no commission," he says. "Many of our salespeople have been with us forever, and they feel the passion of making a sale." One of the most recent developments in the industry is the explosive growth in watches, an item primarily targeted to men. Levinson now carries dozens of prestigious watch lines, and the demand for intelligent, sophisticated timepieces continues to grow. "I know a guy who has over 200 watches, and he's always looking for more," Mark says. For women, the classic white diamond solitaire is in strong demand, in earrings, pendants and, of course, rings. Both the Levinsons' children are now away at college, giving them more time to focus on the business, and its growth in the coming years. And what does 25 years teach a successful business team? "We've learned to play to our strengths, to learn from working with each other," Robin says. "It's all about the balance.'