![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/London-Jewelers_Family_2023_IMG_16X9.jpg\" "\\"The")
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The Udell family at their Manhasset flagship store. (Courtesy of London Jewelers)<\/p>\n
When Candy and Mark Udell opened the Rolex<\/a> boutique in an historic cedar-shingled house in East Hampton in August, it was a major event that drew friends, celebrities<\/a>, and clients from near and far. Once again, the Udells raised the retail bar: The welcoming home on Newtown Lane is surrounded by gardens, with a concierge, lounge, bar, and intimate viewing rooms. If anyone knows how to bring a retail experience to life, to make it personal, luxurious, and fun, it is the Udell family. As the owners of London Jewelers<\/a>, it\u2019s a skill they have honed for 100 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n That personal touch, the sense of home and family, is ingrained in the Udells, something that started with Mark\u2019s grandparents and parents, something they proudly uphold today.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meet the Author<\/p>\n London Jewelers: The Secret to Success<\/p>\n \u201cIn retail, you have to keep evolving,\u201d Mark says. It\u2019s a mantra that keeps him constantly on the lookout for what\u2019s next, and an ethos that has paid off again and again.\u00a0<\/p>\n The secret to London Jewelers\u2019 success, however, isn\u2019t found in its exceptional jewelry and watches or prestigious clientele \u2013 though they are impressive. Instead, it rests in the values established by founder Charles London: delivering exceptional service, embracing community, and prioritizing family. Each subsequent generation thoughtfully expanded on his vision, transforming a single storefront into a pillar of the jewelry and watch world \u2013 a testament to the power of the family jeweler.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the Udell name commands respect throughout the industry \u2013 Candy and Mark, along with their children Scott and Randi Udell-Alper, and nephew Zachary \u2013 not everyone knows the inspiring heritage behind the family\u2019s glamorous stores, star-studded events, and gorgeous jewels and watches.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Beginning of London Jewelers<\/p>\n The story begins in the 1920s, when a young Polish immigrant, a whiz at fixing watches and clocks, arrived on Long Island\u2019s Gold Coast, where America\u2019s titans of industry, including the Whitneys, Vanderbilts<\/a>, and Astors<\/a>, built their palatial mansions. Mr. London became their trusted tradesman, visiting their homes weekly to maintain the intricate clocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long for him to garner a local following, who encouraged him to open his first watch and jewelry<\/a> store in 1926 in Glen Cove, Long Island. Within a few years, he saved enough money to bring his wife and children to America.\u00a0<\/p>\n From a young age, his daughter Fran was drawn to the business and worked alongside her father, learning the trade. When she married Mayer Udell, she convinced him to join her in the family business. \u201cMy grandfather taught my father everything he knew about watchmaking and jewelry repair and engraving, and my father had a skill for it,\u201d Mark says.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fran was the heart and soul of the business. Warm and welcoming, she often greeted clients with an embrace, creating bonds that transcended mere transactions. \u201cThat kindness is still remembered in Glen Cove today\u201d, Mark says. \u201cI still meet people in town who say, \u2018Your mother was amazing. When I didn\u2019t have enough money, she trusted me to pay her over time\u2019.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Fran and Mayer turned London Jewelers into the neighborhood\u2019s most trusted source for jewelry and watches<\/a>. Soon, their children, Mark and Ira, were in the store helping after school and on weekends. From a young age, Mark was drawn to the excitement of the business but had his own vision of how to build it. After college in Miami, he returned to Long Island with his new wife, Candy, and big ideas. First on the list was securing distribution for the mighty Rolex brand. His persistence paid off, and after he landed Rolex, then came Patek Philippe, and a succession of prestigious brands.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Evolution of London Jewelers<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing better in life than working with your kids.<\/p>\n When Candy and Mark opened a second store at Wheatley Plaza on Long Island, they began showcasing jewelry and watches as collections, including David Yurman, in what they said were the first shop-in-shop concepts. In 1984, they made a life-changing decision when they opened a boutique in Americana Manhasset, Long Island\u2019s luxury shopping destination. This single location has since evolved into nine London-owned storefronts, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier<\/a>, TWO by London, and London\u2019s watch store. They had a knack for opening locations in the right places: They opened a location in the Hamptons and storefronts in New Jersey\u2019s prestigious The Mall at Short Hills, including locations for Van Cleef & Arpels, Rolex, Panerai, and Vacheron Constantin.\u00a0<\/p>\n London Jewelers: A Family Affair<\/p>\n Over the years, the Udells solidified their standing as one of this country\u2019s premier independent jewelers. As they grew, it was only natural that the third generation would join too. \u201cOur children grew up watching their parents and grandparents build the business,\u201d Candy says. \u201cThey saw the hard work, the love and passion for the business \u2013 and they naturally felt it too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Both Randi Udell-Alper and Scott Udell worked for other companies in the industry before joining the family enterprise. Early on, Randi showed a talent for design. \u201cI gravitated toward working alongside my mom because we\u2019re both creative, and that applies to everything we do,\u201d Randi says. <\/p>\n Scott developed a passion for diamonds and gemstones and spearheaded the TWO by London engagement ring concept. \u201cFinding the perfect stone and making a beautiful design for it and ultimately watching the joy that it brings to the client, is an incredible journey,\u201d he says. However, both are involved in every aspect of the business.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-05-01-at-4.26.21-PM.png\" "\\"The")
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Charles London in front of the original store at 23 School Street in Glen Cove, Long Island (Courtesy London Jewelers)<\/p>\n![\"Candy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/London-Jewelers_Fran_Candy_Mark_Mayer-2.jpg\" "\\"The")
Candy and Mark with Mark\u2019s parents, Fran and Mayer Udell, in front of London Jewelers at 23 School Street (Courtesy London Jewelers)<\/p>\n![\"Candy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/London-Jewelers_Mark_Candy_Randi-2.jpg\" "\\"The")
Candy and Mark with daughter Randi at the Glen Cove Store. (Courtesy of London Jewelers)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.naturaldiamonds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Speech-Marks.svg\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\n![\"Candy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/London-Jewelers_Mark_Candy-2.jpg\" "\\"The")
Candy and Mark dressed for a night on the town (Courtesy of London Jewelers)<\/p>\n