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After seven years in Menlo Park and more than 40 years in business, Tom Wing & Sons is closing its Menlo Park store and the family is retiring, says George Tom, president of the company that specializes in providing fine quality jade and other gemstones.
“Our success over the years was greater than anything we could have imagined,” said Mr. Tom.
Between now and the planned closing at the end of September, the store is holding a “Retirement Sale” offering “our entire collection of jade and precious gems at extraordinary savings,” he said.
“We’ve devoted so many years to the business,” Mr. Tom said of his family, which includes brothers Tommy Tom and James Tom. Retirement will enable them to spend more time with their children and other members of their families, he said.
In November 2007, Tom Wing & Sons opened its elegant Menlo Park store in a new building at 888 Santa Cruz Ave. in downtown Menlo Park, after more than 30 years at the Stanford Shopping Center.
George Tom and his brothers and sisters followed 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.
He opened his first jewelry store on Grant Avenue in San Francisco. At one time, the family operated four jewelry stores.
The company built its reputation in dealing in jade, diamonds, porcelains, vases, screens and snuff bottles. “We’re like a little Gump’s,” Mr. Tom told the Almanac in 2007.
Go to tinyurl.com/Tom817 to read Jane Knoerle’s story in the Almanac about the opening of Tom Wing & Sons in Menlo Park.
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Tom Wing & Sons had a beautiful store for many years at Stanford Shopping Center, right in the front, facing El Camino Real, next to the Emporium, in the spot where Roos Atkins used to be. The store was in a prime location, front and center. Emporium is now Bloomingdales. Next too Roos Atkins was Livingstons, and next was Joseph Magnin (where the Polo Store now stands). Next was Blum’s Cafe, and the Shreve’s Jewelry store, and finally I.Magnin (in the white brick building which is now Macy’s Men’s store).
Just a little stroll down memory lane. The Tom Wing & Sons store was one of the most beautiful stores at Stanford. Their Menlo store is among the most elegant stores along Santa Cruz Avenue. So sorry to lose this treasure!
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane Agnes…Sorry to see them close as well. As an Anchor like Flegel’s on Santa Cruz Ave they brought a bit of class and elegance. Stanford Shopping Center has sure come a long ways since The Big “E” woolworths and Macy’s!