Leo’s Jewelry and Gifts celebrate 80th anniversary

Mayor John Rhaesa presents a certificate to David Zuckerman and his wife on behalf of the Wayne City Council congratulating Leo’s Jewelry & Gifts on their 80th Anniversary.

Leo’s started back in 1941 as the brainchild of Leo and Dorothy Zuckerman, a husband and wife team that opened “Wayne Toy and Furniture” somewhere in the area of Michigan at Laura. Leo seems to have been from New York, and he worked as a “Novelty Maker” in New Boston before coming to Wayne.
By 1950 they would move the shop to an old house on Michigan Avenue. This house itself was significant as it was built by town founder Ezra Derby in 1832 and was the oldest house in Wayne. The shop at the time mostly sold small children’s toys, bicycles and things of that sort.

Leo’s Jewelry and Gifts began as Leo’s Wayne Toy and Furniture.

In 1947 Mr. Zuckerman was listed in the phone book as a bicycle repairman. In 1956 Michigan Avenue was being widened and the old house stuck out too far into the sidewalk, so it was torn down. The Zuckermans moved a few doors down to 34904 Michigan and changed their name to “Leo’s Gift Center”. They largely sold cards, small knick-knack gifts, and costume jewelry, but for the first time were labeled as a jewelry store and not a toy store. Sons David and Larry would take over the business with their mother after Leo’s passing in the late 1950s, and would see the store switching largely to jewelry.
The store was expanded in 1970 and in 1975 after buying up neighboring storefronts and combining them. They would even have a secondary location in Metro Mall for a time. Leo’s added a bridal shop area, greeting cards and collectibles in the 70s, while changing the name again to “Leo’s Jewelry and Gifts”. Dorothy would retire in 1981, and the business would celebrate 40 years that year. Leo’s continued to grow and prosper and today is largely a fine jewelry and watch store celebrating 80 years in business.