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Courtesy of:

Charles Fuhrmann[28]

Anxious to expand beyond the repair business, Fuhrmann convinced Spritzer to purchase US$ 1200 worth of watches and jewelry from a German traveling salesman; this first retail inventory was paid for and delivered in two installments because it represented exactly double the amount of Spritzer's total available capital. The early years were difficult; faced with a worldwide depression the two men sought to expand business by traveling to neighboring Aruba, where they sold clocks and watches door to door, and soon set up jewelry showcases and then a permanent store.

As business grew in the 1930s they opened a second shop on Curaçao; the island's first modern jewelry store, it had an expanded selection of merchandise showcased in elegant displays. Soon they also added an optical department. World War Two boosted their business; US and European servicemen stationed on both islands were an eager and captive clientele, as were the crews of the many vessels that called. The war also brought its own problems, however, as the interruption of trans-Atlantic shipping seriously interfered with the supply of inventory and it was often difficult to replenish stock. Mindful of their own backgrounds, the men diligently supported the Allied war effort.

It was after World War Two that Spritzer & Fuhrmann became an international symbol for quality shopping on Curaçao. The store found a ready clientele in the thousands of US cruise ship passengers that began visiting the island in the 1950s and 60s; a full 90% of the store's sales occurred during the cruise high season, December through April. The high quality merchandise, attentive service and rigorous guarantees soon made the stores famous in international cruise circles. Word of mouth recommendations, combined with innovative advertising, cemented Spritzer & Fuhrmann's excellent reputation, and did much to boost Curaçao's fame as a quality tourism destination.

More and bigger stores were opened throughout the islands of the Netherlands Antilles; in 1954 they proudly unveiled their new main building, featuring modern amenities unknown to Curaçao, such as an elevator and air conditioning. Outside, a carillon with moving figurines soon became the store symbol. Over the years Spritzer & Fuhrmann grew to include thirty-three retail outlets and boutiques with over 550 employees on Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten. A boutique was even opened in midtown Manhattan, New York, just off Fifth Avenue, where items purchased at any of the Caribbean affiliates were repaired free of charge.

After Wolf Spritzer died in 1953 Charles Fuhrmann (who had married his partner's daughter) expanded the jewelry workshop; rather than seeking experienced European craftsmen, however, he trained locals in the design, casting and setting of precious metals, often sending employees to specialized courses abroad. This dedication to training local staff became a store hallmark; in later years Charles Fuhrmann also became known for promoting the general education of local youth. In 1977, when Spritzer & Fuhrmann celebrated a much heralded fifty years in the local retail business he shunned an expensive jubilee gala (although he held an elegant internal celebration) and instead donated a sizeable sum to several local youth foundations. In honor of Spritzer & Fuhrmann's contribution to promoting the island's tourism and international reputation the postal service marked the fiftieth anniversary by issuing three special commemorative stamps: the first time a local retail store had been so featured.

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Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry