Discover Our History

Howard and Steven Tapper in 1977. First Sketch of the orignal Tapper's showroom. Howard Tapper's Car he sold to open Tapper's Jewelry

Discover Our History

1977

THE BEGINNING OF OUR STORY


Howard Tapper sketches his dream store on a piece of

paper and sells his car to open Tapper’s Jewelry in Southfield, MI. A few months later his brother and sister, Steven and Barbara Tapper, joined him in the business.

Tapper's Orchard Mall 1994 Showroom

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1994

Tapper's opens flagship location in West Bloomfield, MI.

Tapper's Twelve Oaks 2007 Showroom

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2007

Tapper's opens second location at Twelve Oaks Mall,

Novi, MI.

Tapper's Somerset Collection 2010 Showroom

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2010

Tapper's opens third location opens at Somerset Collection, Troy, MI.

Tapper's Somerset Collection 2017 Remodeled Showroom with a Rolex Shop in Shop

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2017

Tapper’s renovates Somerset Collection and opens the first Rolex shop-in-shop in Michigan.

Steven, Howard and Mark Tapper at Tapper's Somerset Collection holding an award after winning 2nd place for Instore Magazines 17th Annual America's Coolest Stores contest.jpg

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2018

Tapper’s Somerset Collection wins 2nd place for Instore Magazines 17th Annual America's Coolest Stores Contest.

Tapper's Orchard Mall 2020 Remodeled Showroom with a Rolex Shop in Shop

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2020

Tapper’s renovates flagship store and corporate offices at West Bloomfield location.

Tapper's Family Tapper's Family

“When Howard Tapper sold his car to raise the capital required to open his first jewelry store, he had little idea that his dream would not only become a reality, but would far exceed his wildest expectations.”

Howard Tapper always wanted to be a business owner

It was nice working for other people, but he wanted to work for himself. And he wanted to work with family. Landing a job at a local jewelry store called E.L. Rice & Co in 1964, a light-bulb came on for him. This could be the future. But it would take years of hard work, learning the ropes from Mr. Allen, before he would be ready to strike out on his own.

Driving past a racquetball court in Southfield, Howard spotted the perfect location. For-Rent sign was in the window, square footage was modest, but the landlord knew the space had potential. Rent would not be cheap. He sketched out the design of his first store on a scrap piece of paper. No budget for fancy interior designers. It looked like his dream might become a reality after all.

But opening your own jewelry store requires more than just a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed. You need actual money. And Howard Tapper didn’t have much of that. He borrowed what he could from family. But it was still not enough… so he sold his car. Newly married, baby on the way, no car… Howard was risking everything on this crazy dream.

Hours of work went into renovating the store to make it beautiful. And then he bought his first inventory, on credit as well.

With no funds on-hand to pay a staff, Howard Tapper once again called on family. With his wife, Susan, and mother-in-law, Trudy, by his side, Howard opened Tapper’s Jewelry on May 7, 1977.

Success came quickly. The first day of business they managed to sell $1,025 - enough to pay that first month’s rent. Maybe this would work after all. And not a moment too soon; Baby-Marla was born the following December. Perhaps one day… he could afford to buy another car.

The original location gave way to the current flagship store in Orchard Mall in 1994. One store became two in 2007 with the opening of Twelve Oaks. And Somerset Collection followed just a few years later in 2010. And then, like many family businesses, the time came to pass the torch.

Howard and Steven Tapper from 1977

“And then he bought his first inventory, on credit as well.”

Howard, Steven and Mark Tapper

“Feel free to drop into Tapper’s to visit us at work. And ask to see the handscratched design of our first store. It’s framed, in all its scrap-paper glory for folks to admire. The snacks and refreshments we have waiting for you? Well… that was Aunt Barb’s idea.”

Mark Tapper wanted to be in the family business

Mark Tapper never wanted to be in the family business – not at first, anyway. After college, Mark became a teacher. He couldn’t help but start a business too. Learning much along way, he also learned that he needed to learn a lot more. Back to college - Harvard this time. And he started another business - tantalizingly close to the jewelry industry. But it was different enough, he convinced himself. In March of 2010 Mark was living and working in Las Vegas when he had “the conversation” with his father, Howard.

It was time to come home.

Today Mark Tapper works in his dad’s old office. (Howard graciously moved his desk into a more modest space) Mark’s Aunt Barb works just ten feet away. The ever-present freshly-baked treats at her workspace probably factored into that decision.

Tapper’s is a true family-business. Mark’s uncle Steven travels the world looking for unique specimens. And if he can’t find what he’s looking for, he custom designs it himself. Maybe it’s in the DNA.

Tapper's Jewelry Locations

West Bloomfield - Orchard Mall

West Bloomfield - Orchard Mall

6337 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Contact

Phone: 248-932-7700
Fax: 248-932-7717
1-800-337-GIFT

Services

Jewelry Repair & Restoration

Watch Repair & Restoration

Appraisals

Gold & Estate Buying

Custom Jewelry Design

Hours

Mon. - Sat. | 10:30am - 6pm

Sun. | Closed

TROY - SOMERSET COLLECTION TEMPORARY SPACE SOUTH SIDE LOWER LEVEL OF MALL

TROY - SOMERSET COLLECTION TEMPORARY SPACE SOUTH SIDE LOWER LEVEL OF MALL

2801 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084

Contact

Phone: 248-649-2000

1-800-337-GIFT

Services

Jewelry Repair & Restoration

Watch Repair & Restoration

Appraisals

Gold & Estate Buying

Custom Jewelry Design

Hours

Mon. - Sat. | 10am - 8pm
Sun. | 12pm - 5pm

NOVI

NOVI

20800 Haggerty Rd

Novi, Michigan 48375

Contact

Phone: 248-465-1800

Fax: 248-465-1818

1-800-337-GIFT

Services

Jewelry Repair & Restoration

Watch Repair & Restoration

Appraisals

Gold & Estate Buying

Custom Jewelry Design
Lending

Hours

Mon. - Wed. | 10:30am - 6pm

Thu. | 10:30am - 7pm

Fri. - Sat. | 10:30am - 6pm

Sun. | 12pm - 5pm