Midlothian Jeweler Celebrates 75 Years in Business

Submitted by Sheila O'Donnell

The story behind a local jewelry legacy began in 1939. 

Leo Killelea began making a living buying gold door-to-door in Chicago during the Depression. At that time gold had a value of $35 per ounce. He eventually came to the realization that he had enough gold items to start a store of his own and he opened Leo Killelea Jewelers at 600 S. Michigan Ave., later moving to a new location at Clark and Adams. The stores were very high-end and were very successful. 

In 1959, Leo closed his jewelry store with the intention of semi-retiring. However, five years later in 1964, the boredom set in. He came upon an opportunity to purchase a large amount of jewelry from a chain of department stores that was closing and opened a store in his hometown of Midlothian. Word spread quickly that Leo Killelea was offering high quality jewelry at very fair prices, and over the next 12 years the Killelea family ran a successful jewelry business. The store was a neighborhood fixture, and customers found that in addition to shopping or coming in for repairs, they loved just visiting with Leo, frequently sitting for hours, talking about jewelry and the news of the day.

All the customers were warmly greeted by Sam, the family’s standard poodle, adding to the comfortable nature of the business. One of Leo’s two sons, Don Killelea, learned the jewelry business at his father’s knee. His father Leo taught him everything about the business, even taking the young man along to New York on buying trips. He was taught all about stones, mountings, settings, repairs, and most importantly, how to treat customers with respect and genuine interest. 

Along with working with his father, Don attended DePaul University and graduated with a BS degree in business. Sadly, his father passed away in 1974, leaving him to support his mother, Anne, an accomplished violinist, and his younger brother, Robert. Don took over the business and in 1976, moved the store to Crestwood, and again in 1997 to its current location in the Mid-Oak Shopping Center in Midlothian. 

PRESENT DAY 
Customers describe shopping at Killelea Jewelers as a very comfortable experience. Every customer is greeted warmly and attended to as though they are the only customer in the store. The employees are very knowledgeable, always taking the time needed to determine what it is that each person is looking for and helping them find it, along the way educating them about their potential purchases. 

Don chats easily with customers—no matter what they come in for, whether a watch battery or an engagement ring. More often than not, customers leave with smiles on their faces and a very good feeling about their experience there, something very rare indeed in the world of retail. There are many loyal customers who have been coming to Killelea jewelers for years and years, including some who remember buying jewelry from Leo Killelea many years ago. 
 
Here, custom engagement rings are a specialty. Don shares that the current trend is for women to first search for rings on the internet to get an idea of what they might like and then they share that with their soon-to-be fiances, who then come in on their own to choose a ring. If the subject of the upcoming proposal comes up, Don advises the men to think carefully about this special moment, because the story of the proposal will be very important later on in their lives. "There are a lot of thoughtful guys - very romantic", he says. 
Customers bring jewelry in for repairs on a daily basis. Many share heartfelt stories about the special occasion on which they were presented with the jewelry or about the person who gave it to them.  “ Jewelry has a lot more value because of the romance or sentimental feelings attached to it. Our store is a nice place to work at because people buy jewelry for happy occasions or to reward themselves.” 

Customers tell him why they are buying a piece or the history of an heirloom they are having cleaned and repaired.

"Jewelry is only good if it has a special meaning," he said.

One man came in to buy a pair of earrings and a pendant for his daughter who was getting married.

"He said he did the same thing for his other daughter. You hear these stories and you think there really is some good in the world. Very few mean people come here. It's a happy place because of the stories my customers tell me."  

Don reflects on his profession and his life as owner of Killelea Jewelers.

"I supported my family, learned, met thousands of nice people ... you can't really beat that." 

Store Info:
KILLELEA JEWELERS 
14734 S Cicero Ave, Midlothian, IL 60445 
(708) 687-2217 
www.killelea.net 
Store Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

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