Jorstad Jewelers will close its doors for good Feb. 29 after 50 years of service in Burien. Owner Denny Clarke has decided to retire after 32 years at the store and 13 years of outright ownership.

Jorstad's is what is known as a "full service" jewelry store - they sell jewelry and also do repairs and other jewelry upkeep that many other independent stores no longer do.

Bob Jorstad established Jorstad's in 1958. In 1976 he expanded the store only to have the place completely destroyed by what is believed to have been an electrical fire. At that time Bob retired and sold the store to his son Mark.

Clarke went to work for Mark in 1976 and was made store manager. He became part owner of the store in 1980, and bought Mark out in 1995, keeping the Jorstad name.

Clarke graduated from Western Washington University in 1970 with a business degree. He had been on the road with a jewelry company and was a neighbor of the elder Jorstad.

Mark asked him to come to work to help get the store back on its feet after the fire, and subsequently was offered the managerial position.

Clarke says the decision to go into the jeweler business wasn't cut and dry, but with the economy being bad at the time it just fell into place.

"I got into the business because it was a business where there was an opening for me," Clarke said.

Now 64, Clarke says that the rising costs of running a business and a changing city all contributed to his decision to retire, a decision that leaves him with mixed emotions.

"I am looking forward to doing the types of things that retired people do, and I am sad because we have a real rapport with our customers and I will miss that," he said.

"All we have heard all day for a month and a half is 'what are we going to do, we are going to miss you.'"

Clarke's wife, Susan, is an education assistant, his daughter Tammy is an English teacher in Kent, and his son Darin works at Jorstad's with his father. Clarke says the family has been supportive.

"They're glad that I am getting to do what I want to do," he said.

"He was going to have to retire at some point in time. I feel good that he is ready to call it quits," Darin said.

Darin also stressed the importance of the customers for Jorstad's 50 years of success.

"We have been here this long because of our customer service. We wouldn't have been able to stay in business this long without our regular customers and the community," he said.

"It would be nice if Jorstad's could be here in Burien for another 50 years. The way the cards have fallen. It is time for Jorstad's to pack it in."

The sign that sits on top of the building with the Jorstad name will be taken down and displayed by the Burien Historical Society.

Jorstad's is now in the process of selling their remaining inventory. Clarke hopes to have the store cleared by the Feb. 29 closing date, so everything in the store is on sale.

While there is excitement for Clarke and his family there is also sadness from both the elder and younger Clarke that it is coming to an end.

"I know he is going to miss the business and miss our customers. In fact we are all going to miss our customers," Darin said.

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