services
I've had many experiences in this building over the years. It's at 5 S. Wabash and, basically anything goes. Perfectly honest businessmen maintain offices and workshops
here and I always rejoice when I find one because it's usually a very useful discovery. I can then relax about doing business there. That's because there are also "thieves" in the building posing as honest businessmen and everything in between the two.
(Please click on photo to enlarge).
The building is basically a wholesale market for retail jewelers. It is also a great resource for jeweler's supplies and tools, pearl and bead restringing, hand and machine engraving, a variety of watch related services: watchbands, dials, crystals and batteries (but not watch repair), jewelry repair, custom jewelry, antique jewelry (if you can take it to an expert to look at first), etc. These last three categories are iffy without a trusted recommendation. Many things are sold at "wholesale" prices including diamonds and gems but I'd never buy these without a reputable advisor in tow. Bargaining is common, depending on the item.
Some years ago when I owned a retail store called Nonpareil, I had the inspiration before a small "craze" took hold, to sell restored vintage watches. What an education! I began cautiously and discovered there were many "watchmakers" in the building but many of these would substitute watch parts when they didn't have the proper ones. It is a definite "no no" to do this since watches are delicate instruments and must be repaired just right. I knew I didn't want a large group of appropriately dissatisfied customers so I proceeded cautiously.
Keeping my ear to the ground I found a marvelous watchmaker, Joe Partington, who was only in his twenties but who had learned watchmaking from his grandfather since he was a young boy. No nonsense from Joe and we worked together providing terrifically restored watches for my customers My own, and I assume theirs are still working beautifully.
One could easily spend a couple of weeks exploring the labyrinths of the Mallers Building. There are additional resources in the buildings nearby. Have fun but proceed with caution.
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