Best Jewellery Store: Markwart Jewellers

This year, Markwart Jewellers is proudly celebrating 65 years in business. Trent Markwart began working in his parents’ jewellery store when he was in Grade 4, spending his after-school hours and weekends there. This was in 1974, 14 years after Trent’s parents, Ernest and Irene Markwart, purchased the jewellery business from Joe and Jessie Clark in 1960. The Clarks had acquired the store from John Hopkins, who founded it in 1928. Ernest, born in 1926 on a farm near Rosthern, Saskatchewan, moved to Tisdale in 1948 to work as a barber, saving money to buy his own business. Irene, also from Rosthern, joined Ernest in Tisdale in 1950, initially working for the Sisters at St. Theresa Hospital. By 1960, they had saved enough to purchase Clark’s Jewellery, which was located where the current Honey Bee Dental Clinic stands. Ernest had developed an interest in watches through his uncle, a Regina watchmaker. From a family of nine, Ernest and three of his brothers became watchmakers. In 1980, the Markwarts moved to their current location, which they designed as their dream jewellery store, featuring high ceilings, large windows, and a walk-in vault. It was Ernest and Irene’s vision to include a watch bench area, a goldsmithing bench, and an engraving room.

After graduating high school, Trent took goldsmithing, jewellery arts, and gemology classes in California and Washington in the early 1980s before joining his parents in the store. Kim Markwart began working at the jewellery store after marrying Trent. With a retail background and a business degree, she started helping out on weekends and holidays, eventually becoming a vital part of the team. She had grown up on a family farm where her parents worked closely together, making the family ran jewellery business a natural fit for her. Although Ernest and Irene retired in 1989, they remained actively involved in the business. Ernest would visit the store each morning to pick up his mail and chat with the salespeople, maintaining his connections with customers until his health declined. Irene would stop by whenever her health permitted and would still take the time to help out with small tasks.

They were incredibly proud of the business they built in a community that became their home. Working in the jewellery industry, like any business, comes with challenges, but ultimately, it still revolves around knowing your craft, integrity, honesty, and ongoing education. While there have been significant technological changes, the core of the business remains focused on customer care and celebrating special occasions. Each day brings joy, making it feel like shopping with friends, and the greatest reward is the happiness experienced by clients.

Trent and Kim both have deep community ties and are committed to giving back. Trent has served on the Renew and Expand Committee, which built the pool at the Rec Plex, as well as holding positions on the council at Christ Lutheran Church, the Tisdale School Division Board, the Tisdale Chamber of Commerce, and serving four terms as a councillor with the Town of Tisdale. He is also involved with the Tisdale Rec Board and the Tisdale Lions. Kim has contributed to the Tisdale United Appeal, the Tisdale School Division Board, the Parent Council at TES, Skate Tisdale, the Tisdale & District Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Jewellery Association, including a term as President. She is currently serving again on the board of The CJA and is a Skate Canada Official in the Northeast and across the province.

The Markwarts have chosen to participate in various small and large projects, both financially and through volunteer work, as a way to give back to the community that has supported them. They strongly believe that if you do not support your community, it will not be there for you when you need it. Although they have faced both prosperous and challenging years, owning a business comes with financial struggles, long hours, and sacrifices in personal time with family and friends. They acknowledge that some days, it’s impossible to please everyone. However, they conclude with gratitude, stating, “It’s been very rewarding, and we are so thankful that we have had the opportunity to be in business in Tisdale. After all, it’s the place to BEE!”