When George J. Schuck moved to Bryan in 1916 and opened Schuck's Jewelry, he was not the first jeweler in downtown Bryan. There were already several other fine jewelry stores operating successfully. The common thread among them, at the time, was SERVICE. Almost all jewelry stores in those days did in-store repairs on watches, clocks and jewelry. Today most jewelry stores consider service the least important aspect of their business plan and, therefore, few jewelry stores employ watchmakers or goldsmiths in-store.

Times were different back then. It was before the common use of the telephone, when there were more horses parked on the square than cars and long before internet, computers and television. George's philosophy was to become the store known for the best quality repair and the fastest service. However, George never forgot that a quality repair was by far more important than quickness. We continue that philosophy today.

George J. Schuck began his profession as a jeweler for Jon Krieft's Jewelry Store in his hometown of Delphos, Ohio on 5 August 1901. By the time George reached Bryan in 1916, he had become a Master Watchmaker. He worked his way to Bryan by way of Francesville, Crawfordsville and Columbus, Indiana. His reputation as one of the youngest and finest watchmakers in Ohio and Indiana caused him to return to Columbus, Indiana and H.L. Rost Jewelers as their Head Watchmaker. Rost Jewelers was known as one of the finest jewelry stores in Indiana and were second to none when comparing their staff of watchmakers. However, on 25 September 1916, G.J. Schuck, "The Corner Jeweler" as he soon became known, opened a store in Bryan.

The first store was not actually on the corner but down several store fronts at 211 S. Main. (This location later became a barber shop and remained so for many decades. Countless men from Bryan had a cut and a shave for most of their lives at that location.) In 1916 it was occupied by a music store owned by Eugene Krone. He offered to move his business to the back of the building and let George open up his first store in the front.

George's reputation for quality and dependable watch repairs earned him the appointment as an official watch inspector for the Cincinnati Northern Railroad in 1918 and shortly thereafter his work quality reached the headquarters of the New York Central Railroad System. George soon found himself as a certified inspector for the railroad system in the region. At the time of his first appointment as an inspector by Webb C. Ball (known to all railroad men and today's rail buffs) all railroad watches had to be inspected and certified at least twice each year and regulated at certain periods each month for some employees. Schuck Jewelers was still involved with railroad watches until the requirement was suspended in the 1970's.

By 1919 repeater watches (Swiss made timing watches which struck the minutes with small internal bells) began to arrive by mail to be repaired by George. These watches were the most complicated mechanical watches ever made and usually contained over 300 parts. These watches were used for timing horse races as well as other uses. George would repair these watches after his watchmaker went home and after regular store hours so as not to be interrupted. At the time it was reported that no area watchmaker, not even in Cleveland, could repair a repeater.

The early years were successful and George needed to expand. The corner location at 201 S. Main St., known as the Binns building, became available and the store relocated there after a complete remodeling. The year was 1924 and G.J. Schuck became the "Corner Jeweler". It was said, at the time, it was "the most beautiful store front on the square". The front consisted of copper panels below the show windows and above was greenish cement glass blocks to provide better lighting in the store as electric lights were not that efficient at the time. There were a total of six hand carved signs with each letter in gold leaf. On a bright day the reflections were grand. A clock hung out in front of the store. Actually the first clock was only a metal sign, but it was later replaced with an electric clock with neon accents. The widening of Main St. in the 1960's required the clock to be removed. It was a sad day of progress for many in Bryan.

The Williams County Commissioners reported in the newspaper that the courthouse clock "had been running about as it pleased and a good deal of the time has been several minutes out of the way which has resulted in confusion, missing trains, setting other clocks wrong and mixing up time generally". There was only one cure for the ailing clock that the commissioners could find, so, in 1920 they hired George to overhaul and maintain the courthouse clock. This he did along with helpers until around World War II. There were many cold and icy days when he or a helper had to climb the many flights of stairs to wind the clock as it had eight mechanical movements until it was finally electrified. Many residents complained that it was never accurate after the electrification. Today after several overhauls, it continues to run well. However, with everybody having many watches and cell phones, few probably take the time to look up like they use to.

During the Great Depression, George had "settled down" as a jeweler and began his amateur golfing career. Even today there are some old golfers who remember his many aces and his service at various levels at Orchard Hills Country Club during its early years of development.

The next major change in the business came because of George's eldest daughter Ann. She along with her 10 year younger sister, Mary, were involved in the family business. That is, they worked as janitors and sales clerks at times, as they grew up. Ann soon met her future husband in 1934. After Lauren Bechtol graduated from Ohio State University in 1932 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, he took over the practice of Dr. E. C. Wisman in 1934 and moved to Bryan. Ann and he married in 1940 and, after many years of travel around the U.S. because of his career with the Army, they settled in Bryan in 1950. Lauren purchased the store that year from his father-in-law and started another career. At first he continued some federal research with the US Department of Agriculture and worked at the store nearly full time so as to learn about the jewelry business. George stayed active in the business helping his son-in-law until his health failed. He passed away in 1958. Doc, as Lauren was known to many of his old clients, learned the business well. He always enjoyed meeting and talking to his customers. People often brought in their dogs for a showing. Lauren passed away in March of 1973 at the age of 64. Many residents in the area were surprised to learn that he had so many careers. Many residents knew him as "Lauren", the jeweler and others as "Doc" the veterinarian and some even called him "The Colonel" as respect for his 30 years in the Army. Yet others knew him as a "farmer", since he was born and raised on the family farm and returned every spring to help in the family planting.

The year 1973 was a pivotal year for the business which was 57 years old. After the death of Lauren, Ann had to make a decision to close the business or continue as she was able. Her sister Mary and a close friend, Lois Kozumplik, stepped up to help as they could for the short term. This gave Ann some time to think things over. Lauren and Ann had two sons, Lauren Jr., known as Skip to most people and Bruce. Skip was in his senior year at Kent State University and had planned on graduate school and Bruce was in the Navy after two years in college. Lauren decided upon graduating to come home for a year to help out and then go to graduate school the following year. That following year never happened as the business for the first time in his life looked like something he would enjoy. He and his mother, along with Mary and Lois continued to grow the business. Bruce joined the business after graduating from Gem City College as a Horologist (watchmaker) in 1978.

The year 1978 was a critical year for the business. The store's corner location building was put on the market for sale and the interested buyer wished to place his new business there. Although Schuck Jewelers had the right of first refusal, the business looked to relocate or have a going out of business sale instead of purchasing a building they did not wish to own. Thanks to the efforts of Bill McKarns, a Bryan realtor and the generosity of John and Lorraine Gorny, the store was located next to Gorny Winzeler Hallmark and Gift Store where it remains today. The store has expanded several times since 1979.

In 1985 Ann sold the store to her two sons, Lauren and Bruce who chose to continue the family business along with their wives. Their mother, well into her 90's, continues to greet customers daily.

George's great-grandchildren cannot be forgotten in the store's history, as most of them have worked part time in sales during their high school and college years. They all would claim they started the janitorial duties at a much younger age and they would be correct in saying so. Jeremy and Kaitlyn (parents, Lauren and Christine) have worked their time and have started their own careers. However, even today when visiting, they sometimes can still be found behind the counter. Lucas (parents, Bruce and Donna) continues helping out at the sales counter during his college years. Time will tell if any of them return to continue the family business.

So today as you enter our store you could be greeted by any family member from three of the four generations which have devoted their lives in helping their customers find the perfect gift or obtaining the service they require.