 When Leonard Manyluk decided to open a
jewelry store back in 1954, he felt Southwestern Lake County would
be an ideal place to build a business. He was right. Not only is
the store still in existence after 51 years, but it's still family
owned and operated.
In October 1954, a man named Mr. Clarence Gerber, was moving his
jewelry store from Main St. to the then new shopping center on Rt.
176 in Wauconda. Leonard was happy to take over the small little
shop located on the corner of Main and Mill Streets, where
Victorian Lady and Blueraven Gallery are now located. At the time
a Mrs. Edith Brown owned the building which housed three small
business. Leonard's Jewelry occupied the center one between
Ethel's Apparel, owned by Ethel Newburg, and Mrs. Brown's Bakery,
owned by Edith Brown.
To make ends meet during this start-up time, Leonard also drove a
school bus for the Wauconda school district. Many of the students
who rode with him still remember with affection the sing-a-longs,
the bouncy rides and the extra care he gave to them on his bus
route. Many of these children and their children have been loyal
customers of the store over the years.
Recently a customer, who had moved away and now has moved back,
came into the store. She related why she has always loved to
come into Leonard's. It seems that some merchants on Main
St. at the time she was young didn't appreciate young children
coming into their shops without their parents. Leonard
welcomed them and
 encouraged
them to come in and look around. He always had a dish of candy on
the counter and invited them to help themselves. Of course
the fact that all of his merchandise was in glass cases made his
store more kid friendly.
While on Main Street, Leonard was part of the Main St. Business
Owners Assoc. who would meet for coffee at Randy's Snack Shop
nearly everyday. At a later date he would join the brand new
Wauconda Chamber of Commerce, of which the store is still a
member.
After six years, in 1960, the other jeweler in town decided to
retire. Leonard's moved then to the shopping center on Rt. 176. Strip type shopping centers actually were quite a new concept at
that time. While at this location, the business grew considerably
and its customer base expanded as well. Leonard's serves not only
southwestern Lake County, but well east to Lincolnshire, Highland
Park, north into Wisconsin, west to Woodstock and south to
Schaumburg and Naperville. Many customers who have moved out of
state come back to visit or call with a special order or request. |
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