Rumson's Goldtinker to Close its Doors

Penny Viau has been a self-described "rock hound" for as long as she can remember, even collecting pebbles as a child.

The Goldtinker Rumson store partner, who began her career as the store's manager in 1981, will be retiring, along with her husband Dean. However, her "rock hound" reputation won't waver with the milestone, according to a release. 

While they will relocate near family to the Venice area of Florida and intend to spend some leisure time on the golf course, Penny will also be designing her own line of jewelry in her artist studio there. And Rumson memories will stick with her. 

The partner (to original owner Joe Romanowski) in the custom jewelry store on West River Road has been a fixture in the small downtown shopping strip of Rumson for more than 30 years — 32, to be exact. In fact, Goldtinker is the third oldest business in the borough.

The longevity, Penny says, can be attributed to a strong love of the community and business and the quality and uniqueness of the store's jewelry.

The “store was always our child,” she said in the release. I “did what I wanted to do, and hope I did it well. I don’t tend to gravitate to any particular trendy design but rather I bring into the store whatever pieces I love or inspire me."

She became a partner in the store in 1983, with Dean behind the scenes as the store’s chief craftsman and repairman, the release added. Ever since, the couple has enjoyed being part of  their customers’ lives as they shop for jewelry to celebrate holidays, engagements, weddings, birthdays, graduations and religious events.

That desire to commemorate special occasions with jewelry has transcended tough economic times, the couple said. And now customers will have the opportunity to purchase jewelry from the store at up to 70 percent off many pieces.

Penny says that she doesn't know yet exactly when the store will close its doors. "We take it week-by-week," she said. "We have an awful lot of jewelry to go through after more than 30 years."  

The store is open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.