Marilyn and Gary Simonson, the owners of Wicker Jewelry, announced at the beginning of July they would be closing the doors and having a going out of business sale.

Marilyn Simonson explained how after the pandemic hit, all non-essential stores were forced to shut down for seven weeks, which happened to be some of their biggest selling months.

“The pandemic really took a hit on all the small businesses,” she said. “Everyone was staying home and buying everything online. We had to shut down during one of our busy seasons. We missed Easter, Mother’s Day, graduations and lost out on sales. Even today people still prefer to buy their groceries, clothes, essentials, and everything online.”

Although the pandemic hitting did affect Wicker Jewelry, that is not the main reason they have decided to close their store.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Marilyn Simonson owns Wicker Jewelry in Fort Dodge, along with her husband, Gary.

“It’s just time to retire,” Marilyn Simonson said. “We thought about selling the store to new owners, but wanted to leave the store in good standing with all of our loyal customers so ultimately decided closing the store was the best way to go.”

Marilyn and Gary Simonson bought Wicker Jewelry from Lew and Lorene Wicker in 1984. Prior to owning the store, Marilyn Simonson worked for them for more than10 years.

Before the Simonsons were the owners, Marilyn Simonson had been an assistant manager to Lew and Lorene Wicker until their retirement.

In 1948, Lew Wicker became involved in watchmaking after being influenced by his cousin, Ralph Wicker.

By 1950, Lew and Lorene Wicker moved to Fort Dodge to work for him in his jewelry store that he had owned since 1932. Then in 1960 Lew bought the store from Ralph and renamed it Wicker Jewelry.

The Gamble Store fire in June 1960 wiped out the jewelry store and forced it to move. It was located elsewhere on Central Avenue for about six years before settling into its current location at 700 Central Ave. The building Wicker occupies was built in 1882 and was once a Commercial National Bank.

Marilyn Simonson started working at Wicker in 1962, but soon after having her kids she focused on being a stay-at-home mom for a few years before returning to work in 1967.

Once the Simonsons bought Wicker Jewelry, they decided to keep the name the same as they already had loyal customers and didn’t want people to think it was a different store.

“We thought it was best to keep everything the same,” Marilyn Simonson said.

The Wicker couple has since passed away.

Wicker Jewelry is a full-service store that offers an assortment of jewelry and gifts. It offers on-site jewelry repair and watch repair. They sell engagement rings, wedding bands, watches, religious gifts, and colored stone jewelry. At this time, they will also be selling their showcases and displays.

Beginning on Tuesday, everything in the store will be 50 percent off. Marilyn Simonson does not have a final closing day as she wants to sell as much inventory as possible before closing for good. All sales are final.

She added, “We are going to miss all our customers dearly and are so thankful for all the support they have shown us throughout the years. We really appreciate all their business.”

Store hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to noon.