Doubet Jewelry Store History.
The name Doubet has been synonomous with fine jewelry in Niles since the early 1920s. Doubet’s Jewelry Store, 12 South Main Street, Niles, Ohio. started in 1915 by Leon Doubet.

In 1923, Leon Doubet, for many years connected with the John Brenner Company of Youngstown opened a jewelry store in the Bowden building at 16 East State Street.

The Hartzell Building, home of the First National Bank and later in the 1970s the Girl Scout Council office, at the corner of South Main and East State streets, also was the location of Doubet’s Jewelry Store.

Postcard image of the First National Bank.

Doubet jewelry store in the Holeton Building near the bank building. The Holeton Building is the oldest remaining brick building and was built in 1887.

From the 1920s through the early 1950s, Kreiger’s Pool Hall occupied the right side of the Holeton Block. Later, Leon Doubet would move his jewelry store into this building.

The building belongs to Mr. Doubet, but formerly was the Holeton Funeral Home in the early 1900s.

The horses to pull the hearse were stabled across the street where Farmer’s National Bank parking lot is located.

The business has been at its Main Street location for about 50 years and has been operating in the city for about 86 years.

Leon’s son, Edwin “Duke” Doubet,
ran the store from 1951 to 2001.

The interior of Doubet’s Jewelry Store just before it closed its doors after many years in downtown Niles.

Signs were hung from the awnings of the South Main Street store announcing the closing at the beginning of 2002.

In His Golden Years, Jeweler Will Retire.

He and his employees have been robbed twice at gunpoint. His store’s safe has been cracked twice and has guided many city residents through some major life events.

Now Edwin Doubet is closing the doors on Doubet’s Jewelers for good. “When you get to be my age–I’m 80–you can’t go on forever,” Doubet said. “I’m just going to quit.”

Significant events: He’s seen many customers through their most significant life events. “I sold some people their high school rings, their engagement rings and their 25th anniversary rings,” Doubet said. “I’ve been here that long.”

He says it’s trust that kept customers coming back to the jewelry and gift store. “People would rather trust a little store rather than a big store at the mall,” Doubet said. “If I say something, they can trust me.”

The Main Street site is the fourth location for the store. The first was on State Street and the other two both were also on Main. “Those buildings all burned down,” Doubet said. “In those days there used to be stores all over the place. It used to be like Salem is now.”

Memories from the ‘Class of 1963’

A class graduation ring was an important jewelry purchase. It signified the year you graduated from high school. Also, when you gave it to your sweetheart, it signified who was your 'Going Steady' girlfriend. The girlfriends wore them hanging around their necks like a pendant or wrapped the ring band with angora wool so it would fit their smaller ring finger.

Many Niles High School students made the trip downtown to Doubet's Jewelry Store to order their class ring whose design was voted on by that year's junior class. Many were ordered and put into lay-away until paid for with small payments.

Pritchard Residence, 1119 Robbins Avenue.
ca 1920

Doubet Residence, 1119 Robbins Avenue.
2013

Edwin “Duke” Doubet, 90, of Niles died May 4, 2012 at Hospice of the Valley Hospice House in Poland. He was born December 1, 1921 in Meadville, Pennsylvania the son of Leon and Rachel Kremis Doubet.

Duke was a 1940 graduate of Niles McKinley High School, a member of the cheerleading squad and a graduate of The Bowman Institute.

He owned and operated, with his wife, Doubet’s Jewelry Store in downtown Niles, a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Niles, Niles Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed golfing, working outside, vacationing with his family, attending dog shows, and a United States Army Veteran of World War II having served in Guam and Saipan.

He will be deeply missed by two daughters, Dianne Doubet Henson of Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Lisa Doubet Baker of Niles

His wife, Jeanne Jones Doubet, whom he married April 17, 1943 died July 29, 2008.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Jane Doubet Burke and her son Ken Burke.

Facebook memories of Doubet Jewelry Store:

“I was 12 when my parents celebrated their 25th anniversary and I wanted to get them something very special. Mr. Doubet let me make payments over 8 months (nickles and dimes) until I had enough to purchase a silver plate.

When I came in to make a deposit, he put my money in a little gold envelope with my name on it. He greeted me as if I was his richest, most important customer, but I’m pretty sure I was his poorest.

I always remembered his great kindness and considered him as magical as the stardust that sparkled in the cement of the store’s entryway.”

“Very kind man. My dad sent me to have the diamond replaced in my mom’s engagement ring. He explained everything in detail even though I was 14 years old. Even showed me the diamond under a microscope to look for flaws.”

“Mr. Doublet was a wonderful man. And a terrific jeweler. He designed my wedding band.”

“Got my engagement ring and wedding ring for my wife. My brother Bill worked there in 1950’s. Still have my wife and the rings 65 years.”