2 minute read
FOREVER SHINING
Like the jewels that are at the heart of our success story, Schwanke-Kasten boasts a bright past—and brighter future.
1899 – Alstead Kasten creates Alstead Kasten and Co.
1936 – William Schwanke, a watchmaker, partners with Mr. Kasten to form Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers.
1949 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers opens original Whitefish Bay “Residential Store” at 236 E. Silver Spring Dr.
1955 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an Official Rolex Jeweler.
1957 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers wins one of the 23 awards at Diamonds International, a worldwide competition, for a “spray-pin of diamonds.”
1957 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers provides 43-piece Gregorian silver set for U.S.S. Wisconsin.
1958 – William Schwanke’s wife, Mercedes, takes over Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, making it a progressive woman-owned business for the time. Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers closes its original 323 E. Wisconsin Ave. location.
1985 – Malcom Dixon, Mercedes’ nephew, buys the jewelry store. 1989 – Thomas Dixon takes over after his father passes away unexpectedly.
1993 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes one of the first 10 Breitling dealers.
2002 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers begins carrying the iconic Roberto Coin Jewelry line.
2005 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers moves to its current location, 417 E. Silver Spring Dr.
2013 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Tudor dealer, as Tudor re-enters the U.S. market.
2013 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Rahaminov dealer.
2019 – Charlie Dixon joins full time as Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers’ VP of marketing and advertising.
2019 – Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers becomes an authorized Grand Seiko dealer.
2020 – Construction begins on the upstairs project, a new luxury retail experience.
2021 – Ippolita is added to the celebrated jewelry lines.
2021 – The construction project is complete.
First and second row, right: a look inside the original store. Second row, from left: an original ad for the Alstead Kasten Co.; the official articles of incorporation from 1899 for Alstead Kasten Co. Third row, left: a 1957 newspaper article detailing the store’s award from the Diamonds International event; right: the Silver Ceremony for the U.S.S. Wisconsin in 1957.
