One of the Oldest Fine Jewelers in the United States
When Edmond J. Beaulieu bought the George T. Springer Co. in 1925, the Maine based retail store had already been in operation for more than a half century.
Eighty five years later marking its 140th anniversary, the company now known as Springer's Jewelers continues to thrive, owned by a third generation member of the Beaulieu family welcoming it's fourth generation Elizabeth Beaulieu Mullen in 2009.
Springer's got its start in 1870 in nearby Saccarappa (now called Westbrook) offering a wide range of optical goods, stationary and artists materials, "fancy goods" and of course, fine jewelry. A circulating library within the store further made Springer's a focal point of the community. By the turn of the century, the company had moved to 515 Congress, where Edmond Beaulieu Sr. acquired the store. In 1947 Ed Beaulieu Jr. joined his father in the business and Springer's moved to its current site at 580 Congress near the intersection with Forest Avenue. Richard Beaulieu took over the business from his father in 1988.
Springer's isn't just an institution in Portland, of course. As many customers know, it also has branches in Bath, Maine and Portsmouth, NH.
The company purchased the Portsmouth location in 1971 from the widow of Herman Page, who'd been one of the first certified gemologists in New England. Springer's-Portsmouth was located at the Vaughan Street Mall for nearly 30 years before relocating in 2000 to 100 Market Street, an upscale, five story building on the corner of Market and Hanover Street in the heart of downtown Portsmouth.