Houston Jewelry Giant Throws the Ultimate Moving Sale

Tenenbaum’s erring on the side of caution in advance of its move to swanky new digs on Westheimer has resulted in a boon for shoppers and an unexpected windfall for 15 local charities.

Tenenbaum’s owners are billing it as “the ultimate jewelry estate sale,” which translates into 40 percent savings on every piece in the original Post Oak Boulevard location with five percent of the sale going to the buyer’s charity of choice.

Tony Bradfield explains that he had asked for a 90-day extension on the Post Oak lease just in case the Westheimer store would not be ready in time for the holidays. And with the acquisition of three other companies this year — Queen of Heirs, Past Era and Gems by Chao — Tenenbaum had a surplus of inventory. “With community partnerships as one of our core values and a vacant storefront during the busiest shopping season of the year, we decided, what if we did this with these 15 organizations,” he said. “It would help promote the sale and allow these organizations to benefit from it.”

A survey of the Post Oak location, chock full just as if it were the original Tenenbaum, revealed a tantalizing collection of every kind of jewelry imaginable — engagement rings, dinner rings, watches, diamond tennis bracelets, fabulous cuffs, grand necklaces from brands including Cartier, Tiffany, Henry Dunay, Oscar Heyman, Franck Mueller and many more. In all, store director Dan Irion estimates that there is between $3 and $4 million in jewelry included in the sale with prices ranging from less than $200 for a silver ring to $35,000 for a gold collar. (I have a friend who just purchased a sizable amethyst dinner ring for less than $500.)

While Bradfield and his partner, Kevin Black, have owned Tenenbaum since 2010, it wasn’t until three years ago that they stepped out into the charitable/social scene in a big way. Since that time they have donated generously to many of the city’s most recognized causes.

“It seemed like we were working seven, even eight, days a week to get to this point where we can do the things we want,” Bradfield said. “Houston absolutely lends itself to being kind, considerate, generous. Houston is one of the societies that I have lived in that is unique in the world . . . Houston is completely open and accepting.”

The 15 charities that shoppers can choose from to designate their five percent are the Alley Theatre, the American Heart Association, the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Country, the Children’s Assessment Center, the Children’s Museum Houston, Citizens for Animal Protection, Hermann Park Conservancy, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Food Bank, Houston Grand Opera, Memorial Hermann Hospital System, and Texas Children’s Hospital.

The sale continues through January 21 and inventory is restocked daily. So if Santa doesn’t fill your wishes, perhaps your Valentine will.