Clockwise from top left: Zach (VP), Mark (CEO) and Scott (VP) Udell, Randi Udell Alper (VP) and Candy Udell (president)
With over 25 years of accessorizing the East End, we sat down with Candy Udell, President of London Jewelers, to talk legacy, life in the Hamptons and what locals can look forward to this summer.
How has the brand evolved with the different generations? In 1926, our founder, Charles London, started the business as a watchmaker and clock winder along the Gold Coast. His daughter Fran and her husband, Mayer Udell, opened a store in Glen Cove that still stands today, expanding into jewelry sales and repairs with a personal service touch. Their son, Mark, along with myself once we were married, began forming relationships with global luxury brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Bvlgari, setting the foundation for our future expansion. We opened London Jewelers’ Americana Manhasset flagship, as well as locations in Greenvale, East and Southampton, and Manhattan.
Our children, Randi and Scott, are enhancing the business for this new era so that London Jewelers has become fully operative in the digital space. Our nephew, Zach, is the expert on watches and vintage collectibles, bringing an encyclopedic knowledge as the leader of our watch team. They’re all fantastic ambassadors for our family business, continuing to form exciting vendor relationships and networking to bring in new clients. We are opening our first New Jersey store later this year, and the fourth generation will take us confidently into this new market.
Are there any new collections or pieces you’re excited for this summer? Come in to see the best new watch releases from our most prestigious brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier. We’re also always working to bring more designers under our umbrella, so there will be a fresh array of jewelry arriving daily. You should also consider bringing in your outdated and unworn pieces for a consultation with our custom design specialists. We can help turn them into something completely new that you’ll fall in love with all over again!
How has the Hamptons community supported and responded to London Jewelers’ legacy? London Jewelers is a philanthropic and community-minded business, and our neighbors have been very supportive and welcoming since we first arrived to the Hamptons in 1996. Hamptonites know they can rely on us for everything from watches and jewelry to cigars and hostess gifts. We have service at our core, so we are always here to help with all your cleaning, repair and gift-giving needs.
What is your favorite part about life in the Hamptons? Summer in the Hamptons is a completely different lifestyle than the hustle and bustle of the rest of the year. The pace really slows down. We start the day enjoying the sunlight over breakfast outside and end it with a big family dinner or entertaining friends, partners and clients—many of whom come from all over the world. Summer is all about celebrating life and these special relationships.
Anything else we can buzz for the summer? Randi’s annual shopping event is set for July 20; stay tuned for more details as it’s a can’t-miss day on the summer calendar. We’re planning some lovely brand dinners to thank our loyal clients, and we’ll be having fun every day in our stores. We can’t wait to see you again when the season starts! 2 Main St., East Hampton, 631.329.3939, londonjewelers.com
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRAND
