Meet Joyce Welken, the great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Christian Bixler III, founder of America’s Oldest Jeweler, Bixler’s.
“Christian was a metalsmith, clockmaker, and notably a veteran of the Revolutionary War who fought to create this country. To form Bixler’s, he purchased land from William Penn’s son in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1785, just nine years after the nation was founded. When Christian passed the business down to his son, Daniel, that established Bixler’s as the oldest continuously-operated family business in American history. That chain continued to my Father, who was also the vice-president of the American Gem Society, and now to me.”
Joyce proudly carries on the family legacy by servicing the Bixler’s storefront, now located in Allentown, PA.
Joyce entrusted ownership of Bixler’s to entrepreneur, jewelry maker, and founder of Perrywinkle’s, Perry Sporn.
“In Perry I saw a lot of passion first and foremost. He carries around sketches for pieces that he draws himself, just like our founder did. Perry understands that Bixler's was the beginning of an American art form. He knows that if we were to go overseas for cheaper labor and move to mass-producing pieces, we would lose something very special. I know that my family’s legacy is in good hands because what our founder believed in is what Perry believes in. And this goes beyond the meticulous crafting. Our founder loved his community and his customers. Perry understands what these pieces mean to people. Famously, Perry is an avid pilot and we got a request to make wedding bands for a wedding that was only weeks away. Perry not only oversaw the production but personally flew the pieces to the couple so they would arrive for their wedding day – that is the kind of story my family would tell about Christian, who would go door to door, or travel two towns over to deliver a piece he made himself.”
Bixler’s has established itself as a national brand by securing high-profile partnerships, including becoming the official licensed jeweler of UFC.
“Our partnership with UFC perfectly captures the family-owned spirit of Bixler’s. The CFO of UFC brought her wedding set to Perry to be repaired, and through their conversations and shared passions, the deal was made. And that’s how we like to do business. It’s about real people creating real relationships.”
To commemorate its 240th year in business, America’s Oldest Jeweler is returning to its original branding. For Joyce, the old look made new again serves as a powerful symbol.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is the fact that we have nothing to hide. We are not beholden to a big corporation. We are not spread out all over the world. We are here under one roof. Our customers can see their pieces being made. When you talk to us you are talking to the people making your piece. The magic in the local workshop, the family-business spirit, has never left us, and that’s why returning to our original look is so important. We want our customers to experience the centuries of trust behind who we are.”
