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Legendary Jeweler Calls It A Career
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| Legendary Philadelphia jeweler Craig Drake Sr., left, pictured with his son, Craig Drake Jr. ("Craiger"), is retiring after 49 years in business. As part of its going out of business sale, Craig Drake is opening its showroom to the public. (Lily Williams/For The Bulletin) |
By LILY WILLIAMS, For The Bulletin
For nearly five decades, when savvy Philadelphians went in search of custom-made jewelry with distinctiveness and fine craftsmanship, they didn’t visit New York or L.A. In fact, they didn’t need to go any further than the Rittenhouse Square studio of Craig Drake. Mr. Drake’s well-earned reputation for quality, service and professionalism, paired with a larger-than-life persona, has rightly made him a Philadelphia icon.
After 49 years in business, however, Mr. Drake is hanging up his jeweler’s loupe and retiring.
Not only has Craig Drake been the jeweler to some of Philadelphia’s most prominent residents, from society notables with surnames as old as the city itself to celebrities such as Julius Erving, Billy Cunningham and Moses Malone, his services have also been much sought after by international luminaries. Elton John bought Billie Jean King a gold chain from Craig Drake while writing “Philadelphia Freedom” in 1975. Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby have both purchased gifts for their staffs from Craig Drake.
Sometimes, Mr. Drake seems to have the gift of being at the right place at the right time. Seated next to Mick Jagger on a flight to London, he regaled the rock star with his famous back-to-back jokes until the “Stone” was literally “Rolling” in the aisle. They coincidentally met again on another flight and further raucous merriment ensued. Mr. Jagger even stopped a sound check for a concert in Rio de Janeiro to give Mr. Drake a shout-out upon spotting him in the audience.
Other times, what began as a casual acquaintance, became a lifelong friendship, as was the case with now Sen. John McCain.
As the story goes, while a cadet at the Naval Academy, Mr. McCain was at the University of Pennsylvania for a Penn-Navy game. While on campus, he wanted to go to a fraternity party and kept hearing wherever he went that the best one was held at the DKE house, but that he would never get in without an invitation. Mr. McCain, even then displaying his now famous tenacity, showed up anyway, and the brother working the door showed pity on him and called over the social chair – a young Craig Drake, known to everyone as “Duckie” – who promptly waved in Mr. McCain. The two formed a fledgling friendship that evening; Mr. Drake recalls the young Mr. McCain as charismatic, handsome and chatty. The pair later re-connected when Mr. McCain began dating Philadelphia model, Carol Shepp, who would become his first wife. Mr. Drake was a member of Mr. McCain’s wedding party and the two remain close to this day.
The occasion of Mr. Drake’s retirement presents an unprecedented opportunity both for longtime clients, as well as those who are new to Craig Drake’s jewelry, to purchase a piece of Philadelphia history at a significant discount.
Nor should Craig Drake fans fret at the end of an era. Although the legend is stepping down, his son, Craig Jr., known as “Craiger,” will be opening his own custom jewelry business in the area in the near future.
Craiger began working with his father when he was only 13 years old, traveling for the business and selling animals carved out of semi-precious stones. Over the years, he learned the business the old-fashioned way, through hands-on experience, and joined full-time in 1988. He’s done nearly everything in the business from designing and crafting the jewelry, to advertising, marketing and sales. His new venture will allow him to focus on two areas of the business he particularly loves: design and personal service.
In honor of Mr. Drake’s retirement, Craig Drake is hosting a retirement sale. The showroom, located at 1529 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, in Philadelphia, is open to the public daily (except 11/29) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Christmas. For further information, please call 215-568-2330.
After 49 years in business, however, Mr. Drake is hanging up his jeweler’s loupe and retiring.
Not only has Craig Drake been the jeweler to some of Philadelphia’s most prominent residents, from society notables with surnames as old as the city itself to celebrities such as Julius Erving, Billy Cunningham and Moses Malone, his services have also been much sought after by international luminaries. Elton John bought Billie Jean King a gold chain from Craig Drake while writing “Philadelphia Freedom” in 1975. Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby have both purchased gifts for their staffs from Craig Drake.
Sometimes, Mr. Drake seems to have the gift of being at the right place at the right time. Seated next to Mick Jagger on a flight to London, he regaled the rock star with his famous back-to-back jokes until the “Stone” was literally “Rolling” in the aisle. They coincidentally met again on another flight and further raucous merriment ensued. Mr. Jagger even stopped a sound check for a concert in Rio de Janeiro to give Mr. Drake a shout-out upon spotting him in the audience.
Other times, what began as a casual acquaintance, became a lifelong friendship, as was the case with now Sen. John McCain.
As the story goes, while a cadet at the Naval Academy, Mr. McCain was at the University of Pennsylvania for a Penn-Navy game. While on campus, he wanted to go to a fraternity party and kept hearing wherever he went that the best one was held at the DKE house, but that he would never get in without an invitation. Mr. McCain, even then displaying his now famous tenacity, showed up anyway, and the brother working the door showed pity on him and called over the social chair – a young Craig Drake, known to everyone as “Duckie” – who promptly waved in Mr. McCain. The two formed a fledgling friendship that evening; Mr. Drake recalls the young Mr. McCain as charismatic, handsome and chatty. The pair later re-connected when Mr. McCain began dating Philadelphia model, Carol Shepp, who would become his first wife. Mr. Drake was a member of Mr. McCain’s wedding party and the two remain close to this day.
The occasion of Mr. Drake’s retirement presents an unprecedented opportunity both for longtime clients, as well as those who are new to Craig Drake’s jewelry, to purchase a piece of Philadelphia history at a significant discount.
Nor should Craig Drake fans fret at the end of an era. Although the legend is stepping down, his son, Craig Jr., known as “Craiger,” will be opening his own custom jewelry business in the area in the near future.
Craiger began working with his father when he was only 13 years old, traveling for the business and selling animals carved out of semi-precious stones. Over the years, he learned the business the old-fashioned way, through hands-on experience, and joined full-time in 1988. He’s done nearly everything in the business from designing and crafting the jewelry, to advertising, marketing and sales. His new venture will allow him to focus on two areas of the business he particularly loves: design and personal service.
In honor of Mr. Drake’s retirement, Craig Drake is hosting a retirement sale. The showroom, located at 1529 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, in Philadelphia, is open to the public daily (except 11/29) from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Christmas. For further information, please call 215-568-2330.
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