Fifty-five years after it first started serving uptown Waterloo, the Hatashita Diamond Centre is clearing out its merchandise.
Owner John Hatashita, 84, is retiring from the jewelry business.
While he’s ready to step back from the working life, he says he’ll miss his customers.
“People have been so kind, good, loyal,” he said Thursday.
Hatashita says he thinks the service to his business longevity is in providing exceptional service, including asking questions of his customers.
“People from Toronto come here, so we must be doing something right – and that’s our service, I think,” he said.
Outside of his jewelry store, Hatashita is known for his work in the judo world.
He’s trained three Olympians in that sport, including son Roman.
The doors aren’t quite closed at the corner of King and Erb yet. There are also still the matters of selling the building or finding a new tenant.
In retirement, Hatashita expects to likely travel the world with his wife.
