The business has occupied the distinctive French-influenced curved building on the corner of King Street and Peirson Place since it was founded by Herbert James Le Breton Pearce in 1909.
During the company’s 110-year history, four generations of the Pearce family have lived and worked in the property.
The jewellers is currently run by managing director Jane Pearce, with the support of her husband, and former boss, Peter, who attempted to retire ten years ago but is still heavily involved in the business. The couple are closing the store due to retirement.
‘Everything we have done has been a labour of love, and we have many wonderfully loyal customers with whom we have built excellent relationships,’ said Mrs Pearce.
‘But it wasn’t until we started telling some of our customers that we would be closing at the end of the year, and saw their genuine shock and upset, that we realised how much they appreciated what we had done for them, and how much they enjoyed shopping here.
‘It has been truly humbling to see their reactions – and has had me reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion,’ she added.
