b'CANDYUDELLTheir instincts were spot-on. To go on that journey with [Van Cleef & Arpels] and have the foresight of knowing how popular that would get and what a sophisticated clientele would like is just one example of my moms incredible vision, says the couples son, Scott Udell.She really sets the bar in the jewelry industry for identifying brands and knowing how to merchandise jewelry and how to style it. She is the queen of style and trend.Van Cleef & Arpels became a status symbol on Long Island and today, one can pop into one of seven stores London Jewelers owns and operates at the Amer-icana Manhasset, including Van Cleef & Arpels and a London Jewelers watch salon, all connecting for a combined 20,000 square feet. [Our business] just kept growing as space became available, Candy explains. We would tell our landlord, We haveCandy and Mark Udell (right) this brand, and we think they would be aare pictured alongside FranMY MOTHER TAUGHT ME HOW TO and Mayer (center) and good fit. He would say to us, I know fashion;employees of the originalSHOP AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW I dont know jewelry. So youre in charge. Glen Cove store.TAUGHT ME HOW TO WORK. As business boomed catering to the com-muter suburbs of New York City, the Udells set their sights farther east. CANDY UDELLThey renovated a landmark East Hampton building. The brands they stocked, like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Pomellato, and Bulgari, wanted to be in the summertime enclave.We watch over [these brands]. It means everything to us to have Nearly 30 years ago, the Hamptons were far less hectic than theythe honor to represent them.are today, with few big-brand stores and a more traditional attitude.Patek Philippe is one of London Jewelers most treasured partner-Candy remembers wondering if they would be a fish out of waterships. U.S. President Lisa Jones says, Patek Philippe has been fortunate when a neighboring store owner remarked, We dont have any storesto enjoy a wonderful partnership with London Jewelers for close to here with gold letters above the door.50 years. Candys contagious and unrivalled passion for the watch and She recalls, I went back to my husband, and I said, Oh my God,jewelry industry, combined with her humility, knowledge, warmth, and what are we doing? Are we crazy? community and charitable involvement, is greatly valued.They took the risk and went through with the opening.Reputation is everything to Candy. Those who work with her It turned out that even though the shopping scene was quaint atknow she is the most ethical, honest, fair person you will ever come the time, Hamptonites were receptive to luxury jewelry shopping, soacross, Mark says. She cares about people.a London Jewelers Southampton location followed a few years later.The most important relationships Candy and Mark have cultivated In recent years, London Jewelers became a multi-state jeweler,over the decades of expansion, however, are the ones with their chil-opening a Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in New Jersey at The Mall atdren, Scott and daughter Randi Udell Alper. Short Hills, as well as a London Jewelers store, a Rolex boutique, and aFor the Udells, their personal life never took a backseat to their Patek Philippe store. professional life, or vice versa. Instead, the two were integrated. In 2016, they opened a London Jewelers at the Westfield WorldI literally grew up in the Glen Cove store, Randi recalls. My daily life Trade Center mall in New York City.was going to school and then, right after school, going to the store. I feel like its the best way to learn. I sat and watched my parents and grandpar-RELATIONSHIPSPROFESSIONAL AND PERSONALents every day. Its in our blood as a family.Its evident that relationships are at the core of the London JewelersRandi takes the same approach her parents did with her own chil-ethos. Candy notes theyve been building them for nearly five decades. dren, bringing them into the store as much as she can. They know we treat them with the utmost respect and care forIts just the most beautiful thing to be with your family while youre their image and their brand, just as much as ours or almost evendoing what you love and working all together on the same page.more, she says of company partnerships.Scott credits his parents with teaching him everything he knows in Continued on page 3230 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2023'