With the recent passing of Barbara Byerly, Kirkwood is minus another great humanitarian. As defined by Webster, a humanitarian is one who works to promote human welfare, a philanthropist. Because
| photo by Ursula Ruhl
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A jewelry shop has been a fixture on Jefferson Avenue in Kirkwood for 75 years. Jim and Martha Durbin hope that gem of a tradition continues long after they polish off their inventory and call it a day â their last one â on the final Saturday in May.
The Durbins recall how Al R. Hoemannâs Jewelers, âthe home of grandfather clocks,â was on the street for four decades before the Durbins came along with James Durbin Jewelry Design. They have added another three diamond decades to the jewelry history on Jefferson Avenue.
âKirkwood has been great to us, and it will be a bittersweet experience discounting and selling our inventory, but weâre ready to move on to another chapter in life,â said Jim Durbin. âWe own the building, so weâre hoping to attract someone interested in another jewelry shop.â