Jewelry store closes, owner disappears

A note is left on the door of Strand Jewelers for customers looking for owner Daniel Martino.

By WJAR Staff
Published: May 06, 2009

» 2 Comments | Post a Comment

WARWICK, R.I. -- A Warwick jewelry repair and consignment store has apparently closed without warning, and customers are worried about getting their merchandise back.

The "open" sign was lit Wednesday at Strand Jewelers on Post Road, but the store was locked up.

No one, including the barber next door, knows where owner Daniel Martino is.

It's a cause for concern among longtime customers.

"Danny is a good friend of mine. I've been doing his windows for over 20 years," said window washer Edward Turcotte. "It's very strange why he doesn't show up for work anymore."

Customers said Martino's business focused mainly on jewelry repair, but he did some consignment work too.

Ralph Pulner is worried because he has more than $500 worth of rings on consignment at Strand Jewelers.

"I heard that he might have personal problems. We all have personal problems. I just want my jewelry back," Pulner said.

A person at the barber shop said Martino stopped by his store two weeks ago and that he said everything was under control. But no one has seen Martino since.

Martino's landlord, whose office is right next door, did not return calls from NBC 10.

In the meantime, customers continue to show up with jewelry to repair and goods to consign, not knowing Martino has seemingly disappeared.

"I just want my stuff back. He's a nice person," Pulner said.

The attorney general's office said it has received 15 to 20 complaints regarding the abrupt closure of Strand Jewelers from customers wanting to get their merchandise.

The office said the case has been turned over to Warwick police.