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In 1976, Michael Pollak and Steve Rosdal joined forces in
Denver, Colorado, as Native American jewelry traders. This entrée
into the jewelry business parlayed into the successful venture
called Hyde Park Jewelers, which today is one of the top 25
independent jewelers in the nation. Their story is a true "local
boys make good in the west" tale.
Both partners had plans of pursuing careers in science - Michael
as a doctor and Steve as a veterinarian. Michael decided he liked
"stuff" better than science and abandoned his original plans,
completing his degree in retail merchandising instead at the
University of Denver. Steve, a graduate of Cornell, was trading
turquoise and silver jewelry in Denver, traveling between Colorado
and New Mexico while buying from the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi
Reservations. The two met through a mutual acquaintance and Pollak
began buying pieces from Steve which he would then sell on the
campus of University of Denver.
After graduation, Michael joined Steven in business and in 1972,
the started the Turquoise Trading Company. Two years later they
opened a manufacturing company in Albuquerque called the Silver
Creek Company, which employed 60 people making silver jewelry. They
had also become national distributors of the Alaska Silver and
Ivory Company, which specialized in scrimshaw and Northwest
art.
In 1976, recognizing the fading popularity of the already
over-supplied silver and turquoise market, they decided to approach
the market differently and selected a more contemporary approach to
business. The store they envisioned would be far different from any
located in Denver at the time. They decided on the name "Hyde Park"
since they both had connections to historic Hyde Park districts. It
was also a name with international flavor - conjuring up images of
famous Hyde Parks throughout the world - and felt it spoke of
quality, an integral part of Michael & Steven's vision. The duo
opened Hyde Park in Denver's Tamarac Square Shopping Center with 2
employees. The most expensive piece of jewelry sold their first
year was $300.
Inspired by the opportunity to acquire precious jewels from
around the world which were otherwise not available in the Colorado
market, Michael & Steven traveled throughout parts of Europe,
Asia and the Middle East, to develop relationships with designers,
artisans and esteemed manufacturing houses. Over the decades, Hyde
Park has developed lasting relationships of trust, fairness,
quality and integrity throughout the world. These traditions remain
the foundation of Hyde Park's reputation with clients and its
resources.
Today, Hyde Park operates in three locations - Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix -
and is consistently recognized as one of the leading independent
jewelers in the nation. The company remains headquartered in
Denver, Colorado with its flagship store in the Cherry Creek
Shopping Center, showcasing the Rocky Mountain Region's largest
collections of designer jewels, Swiss watches and bridal
jewelry. In 1996, Hyde Park opened a store at The Forum Shops
in Las Vegas and in 2003, Hyde Park opened its location at The
Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2008, Hyde Park
completed the expansion of the Phoenix store to approximately 5,000
square feet, unveiling a contemporary, distinctive and elegant feel
while keeping a very inviting atmosphere for customers.
Throughout Hyde Park's history, Hyde Park has remained actively
involved in multiple philanthropic organizations that
support the local communities in each of the markets that they
serve. Just some of these charities include: The Children's
Hospital of Denver, Denver Health Foundation, National Jewish
Hospital, The Kempe Foundation, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, and
many, many more. Hyde Park's own non-profit, Diamonds in the Rough
has raised over $500,000 for children's causes.
"What we do in our lives shapes our purpose to our families,
business and society" says Michael Pollak. "Our mission at Hyde
Park is to celebrate life's precious moments by providing the
finest products, staff and service to our community while exceeding
expectations of quality, value and integrity."
We invite you to join us in celebrating life and all its
precious moments.
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