BEWARE - SPEER'S JEWELERS CONCORD Usually, our annual walking tour of downtown Concord with the boys and my brother Thomas M Newton is a positive experience. A view of New England hospitality and quaint downtown city shops. Not today. On our stroll, we stopped at Speer's "fine jewelers" as we have each winter for 9 years now. We walked around with the boys as they dreamed of Rolex watches and future gifts. We said our good byes and continued down the block to more shops. As we exited NH Craftsmen, the boys were accosted by the owner of Speer's and he accused the 14 & 15 year old boys of "casing the Jewelry store". Both Thom an I thought he was joking, but he went on to accuse the boys of casing the store for a future robbery since they had innocently taken some pictures of the watches and other things they liked. The owner made his way back to the store. To say the least Thom and I were dismayed (and the boys confused as to what they had done.) I went back to the store as Thom and the boys continued shopping. I tried to explain (to who I assume are the Speer family,) that what was said to the boys was inappropriate, insulting and down right racist. I was informed that they "don't see color" and they were protecting themselves. I hope someone will explain to me how our two young sons were threatening to the point they had to track us down a full block away from their store. Nothing was said to us in the store. They had to accuse the boys away from where a "possible customer" could hear them? Thom soon joined me at the store to also voice his objection as to how the boys were treated. As a New Yorker, he had never seen or heard anything like this. My friends, I hope you will remember this post if you ever think of doing business at Speer's. If 2 black teens - who are not even old enough to drive - were accused of "casing." This is a Textbook example of profiling. We have never had anything like this happen in Concord or NH for that matter. Also, none of the other businesses (including jewelers) on Main Street were upset with the boys taking pictures. These businesses saw future customers - - - not a threat. We will be following up with the concord BBB and downtown merchants association. Please share this - it's the only way we can stop this from happening to other kids. read more

More re BEWARE SPEER'S - My brother, Mark Newton, has already posted about this matter. I would like to add some comments from the point of view of a proud uncle and a NYC visitor who enjoys annually visiting Hopkinton and Concord. Concord's Main Street is a favorite stop of mine. The shops are original and the store owners have always been welcoming and helpful. A favorite stop, until today, was Speers Jewelers. My brother, his 14 and 15 year old sons and I stopped in at Speers. While I was talking to a saleswoman I remembered from last year, the boys, carrying the inevitable cellphones, were innocently admiring the store's stock and may have taken a few pictures of watches they admired. We visited pleasantly for a few minutes and left. Nothing negative had happened or was said. A short while later we were approached by the store's owner. My brother and I thought he was joking when he began talking about the boys taking pictures and "casing the joint"! NEVER have I been more shocked. WHY didn't this pompous oaf ask us or the boys to put their phones away? If so paranoid about security, why no signs asking for no pictures? To stalk us down a public street and make not so veiled a racist statement was reprehensible and morally wrong. read more

I wanted to get a watch battery and have it put in and the owner asked me if I bought the watch there. When I said no, he said he wouldn't do it-this was years ago, but the owner is sill there. Also went in to buy two matching pieces of jewelry for gift giving to teens. I was asked my budget, I said about a hundred each and was told, "we would never carry anything for that little price." Now I hear of the owner possibly guilty of a hate crime. Two young African American boys with their parent were taking pictures of watches inside he store. When they left, the owner chased them down the street accusing them of stalking the place for a potential robbery! Never go here. Go to Romance Jewelers and be treated with dignity. read more

My husband and I have been shopping at Speer's since we moved to the area about twelve years ago and could not be happier. We buy all our watches at Speer's because of its staff's knowledge of the different pieces and the services that come with one of their watches: free batteries, free sizing of bracelets, and free engraving. How can you go wrong?? Overall, great experience...and sales tax free! read more

Have been going to Speer's for about a year now, since buying my wife's engagement ring, and then both of our wedding rings. Can't say enough good things about everyone we've encountered at Speer's: knowledgeable, thorough, and helpful; gracious, friendly, and sincere. They were also very helpful in setting up an insurance policy to cover the jewelry. Wouldn't go anywhere else from here on in. read more

WOW!! What a great job the folks at Speer's did. I had a wedding band and engagement ring that no longer fit. I decided I wanted to reset the stones from both rings into one new setting. A complete custom job. In about two weeks I received my new ring. It is absolutely beautiful, brilliant and delicate. It is more than I ever expected it would be. You will never see me without it now. read more

I have a very sentimental attachment to a cameo ring that I've had for years... The cameo fell out and needed to be repaired and I have to say my experience with these folks was nothing short of exemplary! Very accommodating, very fast turn-around time, and the price was more than reasonable for the repair. I highly recommend this establishment! read more

As good as it gets! I am notoriously picky and have been occasionally considered hard to please. My fiancé and the team at Speers knocked it out of the park with my stunning engagement ring. Every trip into the store we are greeted warmly and treated like family. We wouldn't think of shopping anywhere else! read more