Gertrude Zachary’s Business Continues

As I reported in today’s Journal, the passing of the well-known jewelry maker and antiques dealer is not expected to affect her Albuquerque business.

The Gertrude Zachary Jewelry retail stores at 1501 Lomas NW and in Nob Hill (3300 Central SE) will remain open, as will Gertrude’s Secret Antiques in Downtown (416 Second SW).

The jewelry manufacturing will also continue.

“I think the drive has always been there to just succeed and continue the romance of the company — the romance of Gertrude Zachary,” said her son-in-law Trevor Hatchell.

Zachary’s daughter Erica Hatchell has taken over the operations. Hatchell worked with her mother for 21 years and served as the company’s chief operating officer. She was already running the company during her mother’s extended illness, backed by a network of long-term employees. Many of the 38 people who worked for Gertrude Zachary have been with the company a decade or more, Erica Hatchell said.

“This is a wonderful company and it always has been — the people, what we do, the jewelry we make,” she said.

As for Zachary’s famous house — an 8,500-square-foot castle in Downtown — it will stay in the family, according to Joanie Griffin, a local public relations professional working with the family.