Rather than sipping that Fribble or chowing down on that SuperMelt on West Main Street in Clinton, you can now sell your precious metals at the former Friendly's Ice Cream Shop.
Becker's Diamond & Fine Jewelry in West Hartford opened another "gold buying center." The business, one of almost 20 buying locations found throughout Connecticut, opened its doors in the beginning of November. A Guilford location opened roughly a year ago.
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"This is a gold buying center, which means they buy gold, silver and diamonds," explains Michelle St Hilaire, the general manager of all of Becker's buying centers.
Nothing is sold to customers at this location; the business purchases precious metals.
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The remodeling work was actually minimal, according to the GM.
The signage out front, billboards and advertising are driving sellers to the new store.
Some items purchased by Becker's go to an estate department in the West Hartford store, Becker's main location. Other items are purchased strictly for their scrap value.
Tracy Gaccione, buyer at the Clinton Becker's, said that 90 percent of the people who've come in think Becker's is selling jewelry at this location.
Many come in just to see what Friendly's looks like now, and many former Friendly's employees have been in to check it out.
The Becker's you see only comprises a part of the building and, yes, the old booths still remain in the unseen portion behind a new wall.
All buying centers are open Monday through Friday from 10am until 6pm, Saturday from 10am until 4pm, and Sunday from 11am until 4pm. The phone number is (860) 561-8911.
