Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, August 19, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, August 19, 2023 


G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers, A Family Owned Business Since 1929,

Moves To Sierre Madre, California After 77 Years in San Gabriel

SIERRA MADRE, Calif. – August 2023 - Family roots run deep in the Wilke family. After 
operating for 77 years on Las Tunas Drive in historic San Gabriel, California, G. H. Wilke & 
Co. Jewelers, is re-locating to a new city this month.

A soft opening is being celebrated on August 19, 2023 at the new store, situated at 38 East 
Montecito Avenue, Suite 12, nestled in the heart of Sierra Madre, California. Planned later 
this year will be a grand opening event in October, 2023, the month the original jewelry 
store opened in Chicago in 1929.

After surviving The Wall Street Crash of 1929 (October 28) and The Great Depression, 
original founder/family member, Gilbert H. Wilke, with his wife and his son Glenn Wilke, 
moved the original jewelry store from Arlington Heights in Cooke County, Illinois (25 miles 
from downtown Chicago) to San Gabriel Valley. Today, the Wilke family continues to take 
on the family legacy. 

Co-owner Tracy Wilke (married to Gilbert’s grandson Dave) along with co-owner Dario 
Pirozko (also an on-site goldsmith) will carry on operation of the family business. The co-
owners’ intent is to foster a community-minded, family-oriented and small-town feel, as it 
originally boasted in the late 20’s in Illinois. 

“Hardwork dedication and a commitment to unmatched quality and craftsmanship have 
been the hallmarks of our success for decades says, Co-owner Tracy Wilke. We strive to 
celebrate milestone occasions through jewelry and make memories and start traditions. But 
most importantly, we treat our customers like family, and strive to tell their stories.” 

The new store will continue to specialize in custom, estate, modern, rare and specialty jewelry, 
and will provide to its clientele services that include jewelry cleaning, engraving, repair, 
restringing and appraisals.

About G. H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers:

G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers was founded by Gilbert Wilke in October 1929. After leaving the 
family farm to attend watch making school in Chicago, Gilbert purchased a jewelry store in 
Arlington Heights, Illinois that was going out of business due to the Great Depression. Arlington 
Heights was a farming community that relied on Gilbert’s new skills. He originally 
was a watch repair specialist to keep his customer’s timepieces running. 

Times were tough, and people sometimes paid for his work with chicken, eggs and produce. 
That didn’t stop Gilbert from pursuing his passion. He’d often take the train into work, and 
picked up watches from his customers along the route. He would fix them, and then drop 
them off on his way home.

Family history has it then after Gilbert’s wife visited her brother in Altadena, California, 
and she “laid down the law” by saying “no” to any more Illinois winters. Together, the couple 
they moved to San Gabriel, California.

After Gilbert’s son, Glenn Wilke retired from the family business, his daughter, Krista Wilke 
Czerwiak and her goldsmith husband Andrez Czerwia, began running the store. Krista, 
a certified gemologist, and Andres, combined their expertise to continue to offer quality 
service to the San Gabriel Valley for nearly ten years.

For more than 93, years, G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers has been dedicated to helping customers 
with all of their jewelry needs, from engagement rings and bridal jewelry to custom design.

The family recognizes that jewelry is highly personal, reflecting an individual’s unique taste, 
and it is often intertwined with special memories and meaning.

The owners consider it a privilege to bring loyal customer stories and expressions of love to 
life. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or any other milestones, the 
store offers a friendly team ready to assist with the perfect piece of jewelry.

For more information regarding G.H. Wilke & Co. Jewelers, and its new location at 38 East 
Montecito Avenue, Suite 12, in Sierra Madre, California, visit www.ghwilkejewelry.com , 
via social media on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/G.H.WilkeandCo, on Instagram 
at gh_wilkejewelry, call 626.284.9444 or email the owners at ghwilke1929@yahoo.com.

Hours of operation are 11 AM to 4 PM Tuesday – Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM. The 
store is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Street parking is available.


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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com