Anastasia's new owners prove it's not just another pearl shop

Written on the 16 February 2018

If one door has to close for another to open, the door at Chinatown jewellery boutique Anastasia's has been a door of opportunities for its generations of ownership.  With new life being breathed into Anastasia's 50 years of business, this local boutique is not only drawing new blood to the town, but continues to be focused on quality pieces with personal service to please the community as much as tourists alike.

Husband and wife team Peter and Jill Hansen had been long-time suppliers to the previous owner, Laurene Young who sadly had to close the door to her much loved business in July last year. 

But the door was only closed for a week before Jill Hansen, a pearl merchant for 22 years, and her husband Peter saw an opportunity and drove to Broome from Perth to start a new adventure. 

Jill was well familiar with the history of this jewellery store having supplied to previous owner Barry Sullivan before Laurene took over.  However, changes in the world of wholesale industry had prompted Jill and Peter to consider diversifying their income.  They saw that with new technology the world of a pearl merchant is become a smaller space which is squeezing out the boutique operators.

"Laurene called us one day, the next I filled the car with as much stock as I could fit and drove up to Broome to re-open the doors," Says Jill with a slight tone of amusement that she would be so brave.

"It's been a great learning and we're lucky to have had Laurene and Daryl as our teachers until Christmas while we learned the ropes."

Having lived in Broome now for six months, Peter and Jill have taken a keen interest in Broome's business community, and are confident that what they offer at Anastasia's makes it a valuable opportunity not only for themselves, but the community through the quality and variety of what the boutique offers.

"We have everything here, from the highest quality pearls bought direct from producers to children's jewels, funky watches, gifts and souvenirs," Says Peter who sits proudly next to his wife.

Taking a careful look around the shop the interesting pieces start to pop out such as rosary beads, wedding and christening gifts and, for the person who has everything, a delicate gold-and-pearl oyster fork.  The couple assures that while they have a variety of price points for their products, it can all be trusted for the high quality and durability.

Ensuring that the 'Family Jewellers' title doesn't get lost in the new incarnation of Anastasia's, Jill and Peter have kept the shop open throughout the Summer to ensure their inherited employee Lauren retains her job, and the Broome community can rely on it always being there when they need.  The couple are delightfully committed to their new home and have plans to further invest in the business through redesign interior works new signage to be erected on its Carnarvon street entrance.

Showing no signs of pretentiousness, being inside of Anastasia's Family Jewellers feels a bit like visiting friends.  The service is personal, the atmosphere comfortable. 

As for their new life in retail, Peter says he enjoys the customer interaction.  "I always give a bit of extra service," he says after telling the story of replacing the glass on an old watch which was brought in for a battery replacement. 

"I enjoy pleasing customers and seeing their reaction."

For further information contact:

Peter and Jill Hansen
Tel: +61 8 9468 8116
email: showroom@anastasiasbroome.com.au
Anastasia's of Broome
PO Box 547
Broome 6725 Western Australia