MOORHEAD — Puffe’s Fine Jewelry is on track to close in Center Mall by the end of May. That will bring an end to 48 years of the family-owned store operating in Moorhead and 50 years in the jewelry business for owner Scott Puffe. The inventory is dwindling, Puffe told The Forum on Tuesday, May 21.
Now he’s down to selling furniture, fixtures, display cases, and the tools of the trade gathered over a lifetime. “The sale went exceptionally well so far,” Puffe said. “We’re willing to negotiate on everything and anything.
” Puffe’s has held on longer than many stores in Center Mall, most of which are expected to be removed for redevelopment. Beyond City Hall and the Clay County Department of Motor Vehicles, there are perhaps a handful of merchants still open. The former Herberger’s store at the mall has been demolished, while preparations for construction of the city’s next public library and community center are underway.
The ceremonial groundbreaking for that project is Wednesday, June 5. Puffe says there is a generational change in the jewelry business, with several area shops closing or consolidating locations in recent years. Among them: Puffe hasn’t set a specific date for locking up for the last time.
He added that Roers, the company planning the redevelopment, hasn’t approached him to ask. Now he looks toward the next chapter in his life. “I’m kind of looking forward to it now that kind of everything is winding down.
It’s been a long journey.