Rolex AD Sidney Thomas Newark, DE CLOSING

[samson66]

Found out when I picked up my Datejust 41 a few weeks ago that my longtime favorite AD Sidney Thomas is closing their doors at the end of the year. This is the shop located in Christiana Mall in Newark, DE for any DC/Balt/Philly area folks on the forum.

They've always been good to me. They are a family run company and have been gradually closing all their stores over the last few years. This is the final one I believe.

I talked to the SA for a bit about it and he says it's simply that the family is ready to retire. They aren't getting pushed out by Rolex or anything. He says he believes another jeweler will be taking over the Rolex contract but not sure who or if it will be in the mall or another location.

Bummer for sure. As we all know it takes years to build up that AD "relationship" and when they close it's sort of like starting over from scratch. Hopefully all the sales associates can hook up with the new place or another outfit.

They are running some good (non-Rolex) sales right now in preparation for closing.

Thank you to our valued customers for your years of loyalty and support.

Come in now to get the best selection!

[Cwillis0001]

Dang, that's a great store. Maybe I'll run up there this week and see if I can scoop an Omega on the cheap. I'm on the Eastern Shore too BTW, OP. Stevensville.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Cwillis0001

Dang, that's a great store. Maybe I'll run up there this week and see if I can scoop an Omega on the cheap. I'm on the Eastern Shore too BTW, OP. Stevensville.

I'm right down the road from you practically

[Old Geezer]

It's a shame they are closing. I no longer live in the area but when I did, they sourced me my LVc and BLNR and some nice jewelry pieces for my spouse.

[bankermm]

Completely agree....I live in Providence, RI (bought 3 from them)....started with that store, then Boston Copley (bought 2 from them)....they closed....had an amazing relationship with Short Hills, NJ (bought 2 from them).

I had begun a conversation with Delaware but nothing materialized and it was short lived....this was their last brick and mortar.

Oh, well.....time to start a new relationship but it will be interesting if Rolex does go to a Boutique business model......all the best

[Rmoor]

Will be interesting to see what happens I had zero luck with this store over the last 12 months and I had a decent spend history with them.

[Pboned]

Any update of who's taking over this location?

[samson66]

I was just up there last week. So sad to see it shuttered. No activity there on a replacement yet that I could see. The front windows are just advertisements for other stores in the mall. Bought several watches, bracelets, straps, other jewelry there over the years. knew several of the SA's on a first name basis. Really bummed. Rumor is that another chain is taking it over. Hopefully they rehire some of the same sales folks, but who knows.

[Balthezor]

Not to resurrect an old thread, but this makes me sad. Great people.

Got my first ever Rolex here. No relationship at all. Just got on the wait list for a no date Sub and 6 months later, got a text if I still wanted it.

I got on the list for a Batman then and nothing until they closed. Now that I want an Explorer or Oyster Perpetual, I should have put that on the list!

[Rrpdc]

Radcliffe MD is taking that location over.

[JAEP]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Radcliffe MD is taking that location over.

That’s great news as they seem to carry my favorite brands.

I bought two watches from Sydney T and really liked their SAs. They valued new new customers and my Batman was my first Rolex from them (8 months on a wait list).

[Pboned]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Radcliffe MD is taking that location over.

Any idea of when?

[mdmoini]

That is a shame. Concerned one of the family ADs in Virginia is heading that way too.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by Pboned

Any idea of when?

Not sure date. They are on forum selling watches daily. Maybe they will chime in.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by mdmoini

That is a shame. Concerned one of the family ADs in Virginia is heading that way too.

Only family left is crown. King already gone

[train-time]

Originally Posted by Pboned

Any idea of when?

Grand Opening is scheduled for September.

[Bozack90]

Basically every shop that was a long time AD here is now either gone or no longer a dealer and we only have one new shop and a long time local shop/chain that only recently became a dealer here. Some people are happy for the change as they didn’t think the older shops aligned with Rolex new image but I was not one of them and miss the old buying experience

[Rolexforthewin]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Radcliffe MD is taking that location over.

How accurate is this info that Radcliffe is opening there?

[train-time]

Originally Posted by Rolexforthewin

How accurate is this info that Radcliffe is opening there?

~~~

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by Rolexforthewin

How accurate is this info that Radcliffe is opening there?

Enough for one of managers to relocate to Wilmington . Consider it a positive to have an at least one more ad in tax free deleware.

[Pboned]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Enough for one of managers to relocate to Wilmington . Consider it a positive to have an at least one more ad in tax free deleware.

Having 1 more would definitely be nice. Hopefully they help local Delawareians. When I tried a few years back at one of their MD locations, was pretty much told I'm not local to be considered.