Every holiday season, Security Jewelers raises money for good causes around town. It has held a holiday fundraiser for Animal Allies and sold a special Anne Labovitz pendant necklace with profits going to the Miller-Dwan Foundation.
But Bentleyville is one cause that Security’s owners just can’t resist.
“Everyone loves Bentleyville,” said co-owner Jay Seiler. “It’s probably the best thing to happen to downtown in years. So why not give back to them?”
The longtime jewelry and gift store in downtown Duluth has been a supporter of the Bentleyville Tour of Lights long before its six years at Bayfront Festival Park. On eBay last year, Seiler even auctioned off two of his collectible “Christmas City” 45 records, sung by Merv Griffin, to raise money for Bentleyville.
But this year, Seiler has come up with an idea that could really take off and help fill Christmas stockings for years - an annual limited edition Bentleyville ornament with 100 percent of the profits going to Bentleyville.
The first ornament, for 2014, is made of crystal and sports the light show’s official trademark image, all with the blessings of Bentleyville’s creator, Nathan Bentley.
“They’ve been a very, very good supporter of us all the years we’ve been at Bayfront,” Bentley said. “Every year they come up with some unique fundraising, and it’s graciously appreciated.”
The ornament goes on sale Friday at the store at 307 W. Superior St. during their Black Friday celebration that will include Santa Claus and refreshments. The ornaments will cost $15 but can be bought for $12.50 at this weekend’s kickoff at the store and online at securityjewelers.com.
The $15 ornament sales will generate $7.50 each in profits; at $12.50, they will generate $5 in profit, resulting in about $2,500 for Bentleyville if all are sold.
The ornaments won’t be sold at Bentleyville, however.
“We’re plum full,” Bentley said of the attraction’s gift shop, which carries apparel, collectibles and other merchandise.
Seiler came up with the idea for the ornaments just two months ago. He designed it himself and had them produced by a Florida maker he’s worked with before.
He had 500 ornaments made, but he wanted to make 1,000.
“I’m an optimist, I figured we’ll sell them all,” he said. “But I didn’t want to go overboard.”
A corporate order has already snapped up 100 of the ornaments, leaving 400.
“We’ll sell them as long as they last,” Seiler said.
They even come gift-wrapped, after staff held a mass gift-wrapping session last week.
As long as there’s a Bentleyville downtown, Seiler says he’ll offer a different limited edition Bentleyville ornament each year.
Bentley is committed to staging the holiday light show through 2015. Continuing after that requires re-negotiation with the city.
“If he stops Bentleyville, then we’re done,” Seiler said of Bentley. “But I don’t think he’s going to.”
