Him Gentleman's Boutique grand opening is Monday, November 14.

Him Gentleman's Boutique opens Monday, November 14 in the space formerly occupied by J.O. Endris Jewelers (314 Pearl Street).

Just a few months ago, it looked like this.

You know, the building where J.O. Endris used to be, and now the scene of another Bergman refit.

The interior has been stripped all the way back to the brick, with original tin ceilings now exposed again.

I've already heard Him Gentleman's Boutique described as Dress and Dwell for the guys. I'm told there is a holiday of some sort approaching, and gifts might be needed ...

You know, the building where J.O. Endris used to be, and now the scene of another Bergman refit.

Most of us think of this Pearl Street building as the home of J.O. Endris and Son, a jewelry store owned and operated by Bob Caesar, whose father purchased the business from the Endris family in 1968. The Endris company was originally founded in 1880, and Caesar set up shop at this location in 1976.

In late 2014, Caesar announced he'd be shuttering his jewelry business, as opposed to selling it. Obviously, 135 years in retail is a fine run.

Merchandise was sold off through early 2015, and the building went on the market. It was purchased by Matt and Jessica Bergman, who previously (and legendarily) rehabilitated the decrepit Wilcox Building around the corner at 135 E.Market, where the Frenchman cooked and Adrienne and Co. Bakery Cafe currently operates, with the Bergmans living upstairs.

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission has done the research about the background of the Bergmans' new project.

Switow Building
314 Pearl Street
New Albany, IN 47150

Built in 1914 on the former site of the Crystal Theater, this building has seen numerous owners and a variety of businesses - including Stein's Shoes and Williams Bakery - since. The photo below, from the collection of the Indiana Room of the New Albany-Floyd County Library, shows the building as Williams Bakery during the 1937 flood.

In 1976, J.O. Endris Jewelers purchased the building and relocated their store here. Endris Jewelers was founded in 1880 and is a state-recognized Centennial Business. An extensive rehabilitation was completed in 2004.

Their plan for the former Endris Jewelers site is similar to that of the Wilcox rehab, though the Pearl Street building comes in much better condition. The ground floor will be leased for retail, and the upper two floors will be living space.

At present the ground floor is being stripped of drywall, drop ceilings and cabinetry, all the way back to brick and and the original tin, which merely needs to have the paint removed.  

The work has progressed much further since these photos were taken last week. Note that many of the display cabinetry and cases used for jewelry are being repurposed for use upstairs; other sections have been sold. The future retail occupant has not been disclosed, but Matt says negotiations are underway. He also told me that when the loft area is further along, he'll give us a look, so stay tuned.

One fine morning at Endris Jewelers.

We ducked into Endris Jewelers on Saturday morning to check the bargains as the store winds down. I'll always have political, cultural and sociological issues with the owner, Bob Caesar, but even I'm not so vicious a curmudgeon as to deny the man his victory lap. Small business is hard, and he managed it for a very long time. He deserves the praise being lavished on him by his longtime friends and customers. If I don't die in the saddle, it's something to look forward to.

But please, Bob: Retire from city council, too.

Since the closing was announced and the sale began, we've learned what must occur for the local gendarmes to watch over your business 24-7: You gotta go out of business.

This car may actually be engineless.

And then there's this painting of New Albany, as mounted inside Endris. It's an old-time view of the city, as glimpsed from Silver Hills.

The big street in the middle is two-way.

You know, Bob -- the way things used to be.

What we really need is for Bob Caesar keep his jewelry business and retire from his council seat.

I'm reading between the lines and guessing that if it makes more sense to close and liquidate than to sell, it's because the value of Bob Caesar's building on Pearl Street has become higher thanks to the efforts of those investors in downtown revitalization whom he has consistently sought to thwart during his city council terms.

And he'll never, ever grasp the irony.

Granted, Endris Jewelers wasn't ever going to be the sort of business I'd patronize on a regular basis. The articles of jewelry I own number zero. I have a $15 plastic sports watch and a simple, late model wedding band. Jewelry just isn't my kind of thing.

Conversely, as it pertains to Caesar and our many disagreements -- he is the ultimate example of the sort of person who looks at the urban core with a suburban pair of eyes, and consequently, might as well be blind -- I've always directed potential jewelry buyers to Endris when asked. It's about supporting independent local business, even when I'm on the other side of an political, theoretical or intellectual gulf.

Bobby needs to rethink one aspect of this scenario. If he's getting out of business to attain the admirable goal of more family time, can he please retire as council person, too?

As a business person, Caesar's record is long and exemplary, but as a political and street engineering theoretician, it is purely execrable.

LOSING A DOWNTOWN JEWEL: Launched in 1880, Endris Jewelers to close after sale of merchandise, by Daniel Suddeath (N and T)

NEW ALBANY — One of the oldest businesses in New Albany will close its doors after 134 years ...

... (Bob Caesar) emphasized he has no major health issues, and will remain active in New Albany civic opportunities and likely will seek another term on the council next year.

Caesar said he wanted to close the store in 2008, but realized it would be a big blow to the community because of the history of Endris Jewelers.