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The County Times
Thursday, April 11, 2013 10
Leonardtown Has Direction
By Alex Panos
Staff Writer
Cars lined the streets last week during Leonardtown’s
First Friday for the unveiling of the town’s first directory
sign.
The sign, located in front of Jeannie’s Flowers across
from town square, gives the location of all businesses who
are members of the Leonardtown Business Association and
features a code on the lower right hand corner that, when
scanned with an iPhone, opens up the county’s tourism
website – visitstmarysmd.com.
The Leonardtown Business Association decided the
town “desperately” needed the directory, said Joe Orlando,
the group’s vice president, because people ask for directions
or what other shops Leonardtown offers.
“It only helps everybody and every business,” Orlando
said, noting the event brought out a large crowd. “It was the
busiest First Friday we’ve ever had.”
Orlando hopes within a year or so, there will be more
signs unveiled in Leonardtown.
April’s First Friday was the first spring event of the
year, and featured St. Marie’s Musica as part of the event.
Typically, warmer weather influences people to attend
First Fridays, according to Maria Fleming, Leonardtown
event coordinator.
The warmer months bring about a feel to Leonardtown
that is absent during the cold winter months.
“I think spring and summer First Fridays are popular
just because people feel less encumbered in general,” Fleming
said.
While Orlando said business in his shop is just as bustling
during First Friday in winter as in summer, he agrees
the music on the square during the warmer months encourages
more people to come out and relax in town square.
“I definitely think when we have music on the square,
there are many more people here,” Orlando said.
Fleming continued, “With spring and summer First
Friday, there seems to be a greater sense of freedom and
openness. People want to socialize, be outside and have a
place to take the kids.”
The summer brings about more people, and culminates
with the beach party in August – the most popular
First Friday each year according to Fleming.
“Spring and summer First Friday have a real block
party feel to them, even if you don't live here. That, coupled
Mickie Suite points out a location on the new directory sign in
Leonardtown.
with the amazing variety of specials, entertainment, and
activities provided by the local business, really brings the
square to life.”
Leonardtown has slated numerous activities during the
warmer weather this year.
The town will celebrate Earth Day weekend April 19
to 21, including a recycled art show at the Leonardtown Arts
Center on April 19, later this month as part of the “Steppin’
Out in Leonardtown” festivities.
May 3 will be “Fiesta First Friday”, featuring the music
of CSM's Latin Ensemble and a Latin poet at Fenwick
Street Used Books and Music.
June 7 is "Get Hooked" on First Friday because the
Crab Festival at the county fairgrounds takes place the following
day. Music, a crab-picking demonstration and Pinch
from the Blue Crabs will be in the Square.
August 2 is the ever popular First Friday Beach Party,
Fleming said.
alexpanos@countytimes.net
St. Marie’s Musica performs during First Friday.
Photos by Alex Panos
Rick’s Jewelry: Repairs, Custom Works for 20 Years
Photo by Alex Panos
Rick Norris explains what he is doing as he repairs an earring.
By Alex Panos
Staff Writer
Rick Norris, owner of Rick’s Jewelers in San Souci
Plaza, is celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with a
number of special deals, including a $5,000 shopping spree
of in-stock merchandise.
The shop, which opened in 1993 primarily as a place
for Norris to perform repairs and custom work, now is
equally as busy in the retail department.
The shop is twice the size as it was back then, Norris
says, and offers a much wider selection of the products he
was already selling in addition to more lines of clocks and
gift ware.
He can customize wedding and engagement rings,
mostly performed by hand, as well as duplicate any piece
of jewelry.
As a small business owner, he is able to hand-select the
pieces he buys from jewelry sales companies.
Larger commercial companies purchase thousands of
pieces at a time, and the quality can vary greatly with such
large quantities, he explained.
“That’s why our stone colors and our quality are
great,” Norris said.
Norris began his career as an engraver with Blair’s
Jewelers, and over time taught himself how to repair jewelry
and customize pieces for each individual.
Norris traveled to New York in the early 1980s to
“hone [his] techniques” and become an expert before opening
his first shop.
With his background in engraving and fixing pieces,
jewelry repair was his priority – the inclusion of sales came
with the territory.
“A lot of customers that came to me wanted to buy jewelry,”
Norris said, adding they went as far as to tell him if he
sold jewelry that would come to him first.
Above all else, quality, backing the products and being
in the shop to answer customer’s questions – Norris is in the
store six days a week – are the keys to being successful and
acquiring new clientele.
“The customers I’ve had for years, they’re bringing in
their kids now for engagement rings,” Norris said.
People can fill out raffle tickets in the shop before the
raffle, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12.
In addition to the $5,000 raffle giveaway, Rick’s will
hold a series of special discounts throughout the day. The
first discounts begin at 11 a.m., running every hour with
different discount percentages on different selections until
6 p.m.
Each special deal will last one hour, and sales are eligible
for in-stock items only.
Rick’s Jewelers is located in San Souci Plaza on Route
235, 22576 MacArthur Blvd in California. Call 301-737-
4241 for more information.
alexpanos@countytimes.net