100 years of London Jewelers, one of Long Island's oldest family-owned businesses
The first member of London’s fourth generation, Randi Udell-Alper, as a baby, enters the scene shown here with her parents Mark and Candy Udell in front of of their second Glen Cove store. Credit: London Jewelers
Proof that the American dream is alive and well is evident at London Jewelers, marking its 100th anniversary this year growing from a humble, hole-in-the-wall shop on School Street in Glen Cove, to a mammoth business that comprises 16 locations and more than 300 employees on Long Island and in New Jersey.
Today, London Jewelers is widely considered one of America’s premier family-owned luxury jewelry retailers serving celebrities, professional athletes and regular folks looking to treat themselves or others with beautiful things. How did it happen?
In the beginning
This is Charles London’s passport. It took him three years to earn enough money to bring his wife and children to America. His daughter, Fran, became a key player in the London business. Credit: London Jewelers
In the Roaring Twenties, a young Charles London emigrated from Poland hoping to earn enough money to bring his family here. A self-taught watchmaker, he quickly became the go-to serviceman for the clocks of the Gold Coast mansions of Long Island's legendary families, such as the Vanderbilts, winding clocks at these massive estates on a weekly basis.
Mayer Udell, Fran (formerly London) Udell, Candy and Mark Udell at the original shop in Glen Cove. Credit: London Jewelers
His success led to him to open the modest storefront for clocks, watches and a smattering of jewelry at the School Street location in 1926. The exact date is unknown in the family history. Within three years, he raised enough money to send for his wife and three children, according to a self-published family history celebratory book, "London Jewelers 100 Years."
In 1945, Charles' daughter Fran, who kept the books and charmed customers, married Mayer Udell, also a Polish immigrant with an eye for detail who joined the business.
Charles London, the founder of London Jewelers, proudly stands in front of his shop on Glen Cove’s School Street, opened in 1926. Credit: London Jewelers
A bling dynasty
Cut to a century later after that first store opened and London Jewelers remains family-run. And Charles London is still revered.
CEO Mark Udell, 74, a son of Mayer and Fran Udell, who grew up working in the store after school and is the patriarch of the third generation, explains: "Family is what London was built on ... and what London will always stand for. My parents would be in shock if they saw the company today."
Mark's wife, Candy Udell, the company’s president says, "Every day, we wake up and thank God Charles London came to Long Island."
The fourth generation includes Mark and Candy's children Randi Udell-Alper, Scott Udell, 42, and nephew Zachary Udell, 40, (the son of Mark’s brother Ira), all holding VP titles, who are deeply embedded in the business.
"I’m so proud of the value that our amazing elders — our grandparents and parents — have instilled in us," says Randi Alper-Udell. Likewise, Scott says: "In a day when everything is run by large corporations, I take such pride in the fact that we’ve been able to continue our journey as a family for four generations. And we’ll put it in a good place for the next generation."
Adds Zachary, "Being the fourth generation, we’re custodians of the legacy."
Three generations of the Udell family, including Mark and Candy, their son Scott and his family and their daughter Randi and her children, and nephew, Zach Udell (far left) at the London Jewelers flagship store at the Americana Manhasset on April 11, 2026. Scott’s family, on the left, includes, wife, Jessica, son, Mason, 11, and daughter, Blake, 13. Randi’s family, on the right, includes husband, Scott and children, Sienna, 14, Skye, 11, and Sylvie, 5. Credit: Linda Rosier
Waiting in the wings are five grandchildren (great-great-grandchildren of Charles) ... the fifth generation; Scott’s children Mason, 11, and daughter, Blake, 13, and Randi's children, Sienna, 14, Skye, 11, and Sylvie, 5.
A watch changed momentum
Mark met Candy in college at the University of Miami. After marrying in 1973, they returned to the store where Candy, who says, "I never worked a day in my life," was relegated to wrapping packages, polishing silver and cleaning shelves. "My mother-in-law taught me how to work and cook," she says. She embraced every role and still does. "There’s still no job I won’t do."
Candy Udell, second from left, works with her granddaughters, Blake, 13, left, Sienna, 14, and her daughter, Randi, at the London Jewelers flagship store at the Americana Manhasset, April 11, 2026. The family business is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Credit: Linda Rosier
In 1974, they moved a few doors down to a fancier space in Glen Cove. Mark had a bold idea — bring in Rolex watches — the luxury, international brand would be a standout among less-elite styles. The risk paid off almost immediately when the first watch sold the same day as it was displayed, setting the stage for a shift toward luxury brands.
Last summer, London opened a 4,800-square-foot standalone Rolex boutique in East Hampton with a glitzy cocktail party where invited guests included longtime clients and celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, Sylvester Stallone and New York Knick Josh Hart. And now, London is in the midst of a huge 13,000-square-foot renovation of its already massive watch salon at the Americana Manhasset flagship (established in 1984) which will include an expansive array of luxury timepieces, a dining room, outdoor space and a Baccarat bar. "It’s going to be epic," says Mark.
The secret sauce
Family values remain central to the company’s success. Longtime employees like vice president of marketing Sherry Mesh, who has been with London for 50 years, (it was her after-school job in high school) point to a culture of responsibility and care that feels personal. "They have this old school sense of handling everything like it’s your own home and that permeates through," she explains.
Randi Udell-Alper helps customer, Kiran Kaur, at the London Jewelers flagship store at the Americana Manhasset. Credit: Linda Rosier
Candy is nostalgic when describing the family dinners in the basement of the original store — moments that would shape the company’s ethos. "We still equate food with love." That close-knit warmth translates to the glossy stores today where you can buy a baby gift for $100 or spend millions on exquisite jewels and watches. Whether it’s Candy’s home-baked cookies that she brings in each Saturday, a gourmet gathering or even dog adoption events with puppies running around the store (Candy is a fierce and effective animal advocate who established the Rescue Paw Foundation in 2010 to protect the millions of abandoned pets), London is equal parts big business and homey. "You’re part of our family no matter what," says Zachary.
Candy Udell and daughter, Randi Udell-Alper, greet customers at the London Jewelers flagship store at the Americana Manhasset. Credit: Linda Rosier
In the end, the London story goes beyond profit. "We’re in a happy business," explains Mark. "It’s about special occasions — milestones, birthdays, Mother’s Day, anniversaries and the smiles that occur when people open their gifts. What do we say every Christmas morning?," he asks Candy.
It’s an easy answer. She says, "We’d love to be flies on the wall sharing in the joy and happiness of our boxes being opened all over the world."
