Buying a watch or an engagement ring is supposed to be fun.
You should be able to enjoy the experience, looking at beautiful pieces with experts who are happy to help. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always feel that way at typical jewelry stores.
Luckily, Cincinnati has Richter & Phillips Jewelers, which offers an extraordinary customer experience and a legendary history in the Queen City.
A Historic Legacy
If you’re a native Cincinnatian, you may have an ancestor who bought something special at Richter & Phillips.
Originally called The Richter & Phillips Company, the store opened in 1896 with one Richter and three Phillipses. They sold jewelry from the very start but also purses, toys and even sporting goods. During the Great Depression, Fred Fehr, a diamond salesman, bought the business. It’s still owned by the Fehr family today.
For President Rick Fehr, owner, his store policy is simple. “We want it to be special. We want it to be remarkable. We want it to be as easy as it can be.”
Richter & Phillips Jewelers is proud to be considered a Cincinnati landmark and enjoys supporting other local businesses. From big, hometown gestures like sponsoring the Cincinnati Reds to small everyday tasks like printing business cards, Richter & Phillips tries to keep their customers’ money as local as possible.
Richter & Phillips moved next door into another historic building — a former bank — in 2016. Thoughtful renovations allowed them to restore and update the unique bank vault in the basement to be a one-of-a-kind event space. Even better, it’s one that Richter & Phillips offers free to nonprofits. Inside, you’ll find nods to their history, including framed advertisements from the past, mixed with stylish nods to the future, such as their own branded whiskey made in partnership with New Riff Distillery.
A Sparkling Future
It’s not enough for the team to simply be a trusted jeweler or even the best in the jewelry industry. The team wants to be an innovator, continuing to invest in the customer experience and thinking outside the boundaries of a brick-and-mortar store.
The team has improved engagement ring shopping with an event called “Drinks & Diamonds.” At this free seminar, held every few months, guests learn about diamonds with Vice President Eric Fehr, Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist, and fourth-generation owner. The event invites open conversation about the ring shopping process, custom design, and what to look for in a diamond, all in an effort to offer approachable, free education to interested customers.
“It’s a diamond seminar for first-time diamond buyers,” says Marketing Director Rebecca Schaeper. “It’s a no-pressure, obligation-free atmosphere. Give Eric your hard-hitting diamond questions. He’s ready for them!”
A new digital experience is on the horizon for Richter & Phillips’ website. Their newest venture will immerse customers in a 3D environment that lets them design their own custom engagement rings. “It is a gorgeous new addition to our site,” Schaeper says. “There’s not another jewelry store that has something quite like this.”
Once you have curated your custom look, Richter & Phillips’ expert team of professional, in-house jewelry designers can help bring your vision to life. Richter & Phillips also has two Rolex-trained watchmakers on-site, and it’s the only store in the tri-state to offer such a prestigious watch repair department.
Generation after generation, what keeps customers returning to Richter & Phillips is their commitment to lasting relationships. Once a couple finds their engagement ring at Richter & Phillips, they often become customers for life.
“What’s unique about our customers is that they turn into loyal guests,” Schaeper says. “When they have a great experience, they tell everyone they know about us — and that sort of advocacy is priceless.”
Their commitment to excellent customer service and investing in a six-star experience remains a core part of Richter & Phillips, and it will for years to come. “God willing, we’ll be here another 100 years,” Rick Fehr says. “It’s not rocket science. It’s simply taking care of people the way you want to be taken care of.”
Looking to buy an engagement ring or luxury jewelry? Visit Richter & Phillips at 601 Main St., Cincinnati, OH, or visit them at richterphillips.com.