History
Nielsen’s Jewelers, a family business that began before the making of the Model T, has endured two world wars, the Great Depression, and the influx of corporate business, continuing to serve its customers with dependable service. In 1892, when the Transcontinental Railroad flourished with passenger and goods transport between the coasts, Hans Heide, a Danish immigrant, opened a modest jewelry business in Albina, Oregon, near the rail yards, specializing in watch and clock repair. In 1900, he was appointed an official railroad watch inspector, a prestigious position given only to qualified stores.
Having learned the trade of watchmaking, Niels Nielsen left his home in Århus, Denmark, and set sail for America in 1911. Two years later, he was hired by Heide as a watchmaker. Niels lived in the apartment over the store, earning twenty dollars a week. In 1921, Niels purchased the business from Hans Heide and changed its name to Nielsen’s Jewelers.
January 1926 was a significant month for Niels Nielsen. He moved his store to North Russell Street in Portland, Oregon, and became the proud father of twins. The birth of Joan and John added the dimension of family to Nielsen’s Jewelers. Niels inspected and repaired watches, his wife, Anna, strung pearls and beads, and Joan and John helped around the store. John learned the trade of watchmaking and partnered with his father in 1945. Joan offered her talents in sales, creative merchandising and bookkeeping.
In the early 1950s, Niels and Anna Nielsen celebrated the two weddings of their twins. John married Dolores Ramsten and had two daughters, Jan and Linda. In 1957, John bought the business from his father, but Niels continued to work at the store until his retirement at age 83. Retaining the honor of inspecting railroad watches, John also received certification in gemology. He served as president of the Oregon State Jewelers Association for three years and was a regional director for Retail Jewelers of America for six years, representing Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
Big changes came in 1961; Nielsen’s Jewelers moved to the corner of twelfth and Weidler in Lloyd Center and became known as The Sweetheart Corner. Nielsen’s Jewelers was open six days and two nights a week, with an additional trip to the store every Sunday to wind the watches. On Sundays, Jan and Linda received their first on-the-job training in winding watches and cleaning glass counters. Jan continued to work in the family business, learning the modern way of watch repair, replacing batteries and adjusting watchbands. Nielsen’s Jewelers expanded its walls in 1973, adding a clock shop, complete with beautiful grandfather clocks and whimsical coo-coo clocks. In 1992, John Nielsen sold his jewelry business to his daughter, Jan, which made her the fourth generation to own and operate Nielsen’s Jewelers.
Today
Nielsen’s Jewelers is now located in the Lloyd Center Tower, which is across the skybridge from Lloyd Center - West End. Behind the counter, the original clock used for the railroad watch inspection still keeps the current time, and Mr. Nielsen’s antique workbench continues to fill the modern demands of jewelry and watch repair. Through the generations, Nielsen’s Jewelers has continued to offer superb quality, honest and fair prices, excellent customer service, and a caring, family atmosphere.
Meet the Team
Jan Nielsen
Jan started working at Nielsen’s Jewelers with her dad, John Nielsen, at the age of 15. After attending Western Oregon University, she returned to work at the store with her father. She studied diamonds and gemstones through the Gemology Institute of America. Today, she works together with her daughter, Sara Winter, to provide customers with the highest quality merchandise and excellent service. She truly enjoys providing beautiful fine jewelry to compliment individual style, to enrich important celebrations and to preserve as cherished heirlooms for generations. Jan not only goes above and beyond for her customers, but she’s also committed to supporting the community by donating to Donate Life NW, Nordic Northwest and Edison High School every year.
Sara Winter
Sara became very interested in jewelry at a young age while having the opportunity to gain early exposure to the industry. After graduating from Portland State University, she decided to join Nielsen’s Jewelers, adding the fifth generation to the family business. Sara is a Certified Pearl Specialist through the Cultured Pearl Association of America. She also has diamond and gemstone certifications from the Gemology Institute of America and is currently completing the Graduate Gemologist program. Sara is a born leader and takes great care in ensuring that her customers are highly satisfied, leaving them wanting no other experience than that which can only be found at Nielsen’s Jewelers.