“We were searching for a community to fit our style,” says George Tom, president of Tom Wing & Sons, about his company’s move to Menlo Park. The elegant jewelry store opened this month in downtown Menlo Park after more than 30 years at Stanford Shopping Center. The store’s lease at Stanford ended in January of this year.
The high-end jewelry store is located at 888 Santa Cruz Ave. in a new building owned by the Citypoint Group of Menlo Park. The store’s handsome interior, twice the size of its Stanford location, serves as a muted background for its collection of fine jade and selections of cultured pearls, diamonds and other precious gem jewelry.
“We wanted to give a setting of serenity,” says Mr. Tom. A large statue of Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of mercy, presides over the store. A painting of the Chinese symbol for fate dominates one wall. “We believe everything goes by fate,” he says.
The quiet elegance of the new store fits the lifestyle of its customers, he says. “We’re not a cookie cutter operation and our customers don’t like to fight crowds,” he says.
Tom Wing & Sons is a family affair. The five children of its founder, the late Tom Wing Kee, are all active in the business and working in the Menlo Park store.
George is president and “traffic director.” His siblings Tommy, James, Margaret and Mabel all hold different positions in the business. Their brother, John, managed the Stanford Shopping Center store until his death three years ago.
The family has worked together “since we were kids,” says Mabel.
The brothers and sisters are following a tradition started by their father, Tom Wing Kee, who left Shanghai, where his family had been jewelers for generations, and moved to San Francisco in 1961. His wife and children joined him soon after.
He opened his first jewelry store on Grant Avenue in San Francisco. At one time the family operated four jewelry stores. Now the business is concentrated in the Menlo Park store.
The company built its reputation in dealing in jade, diamonds, porcelains, vases, screens and snuff bottles. “We’re like a little Gump’s,” says Mr. Tom, with a smile.
Fashions in jewelry change, even in jade, he notes. In the long history of Chinese art and culture, jade has always had a special significance, comparable to gold and diamonds in the West. Today Tom Wing’s young customers prefer jade in different colors, rather than the traditional green, says Mr. Tom. Pink, white, butterscotch, blue and black jade are popular choices.
“Each gem has its own personality and it becomes a part of a customer’s life,” he says.
Togetherness seems to suit the five Tom children. “We have a wonderful time together. Everyday is like a reunion,” says Margaret. “This is a happy business,” adds her brother, George.
Tom Wing & Sons is located at 888 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. The phone number is 326-0888.
