Rosa watch and jewelry store, on the Grand-Rue for 38 years

Père et fils travaillent désormais ensemble, dans un commerce qu’ils ont fait évoluer. Midi Libre – ALAIN MENDEZ

The oldest business on the Grand-Rue run by Jean-Pierre and his son Tristan Rosa is now the only one in this sector of activity, in Lodève.

Established since 1987, the Rosa jewelry and watch store is today the oldest business on a Grand-Rue that has changed a lot since then, in the heart of the city.

“It is the last jewelry store in Lodève after the closure of my friend Marini which was ideally located in the city, with good visibility” even indicates Jean-Pierre Rosa, still going strong at 78. The Lodévois runs the company with his son Tristan, 39, right next door to another “loyal” of the street, the greengrocer Grégory Cadenas. The closures were followed by openings, then closures. Gone are the bakery, the pastry shop, the fishmonger, the restaurants, the clothing and shoe shops, the bookstore, the newsagent or recently the toy store… However, the craftsman is happy to work there and live in Lodévois.

A business that works

“I took over, 38 years ago, a business created by Mr. Pouget, from Gérard Segui who ran it for two years then and developed it. At the time, there were three jewelry stores in town with Marini and Mrs. Rouvier” remembers that he was born in Paris before spending his youth in the Swiss Jura, where he trained as a watchmaker before starting to work there. The rest, many trips to Africa, Brazil and India in particular. "As an employee for major Swiss and then American brands, in after-sales service". Back from India, Jean-Pierre Rosa found himself without a job.

"I took my car to go see a friend in Sète. With the idea of ​​looking for a management company in the South, without thinking of becoming an owner. I placed an ad on Midi Libre and they suggested Millau, La Grand-Combe, Palavas and Lodève which caught my attention, with its mixed population, its natural environment" continues the Lodévois passionate about sports that he has practiced, such as football and tennis or continues to practice, such as cycling or running, to keep fit. “I wasn't a jeweler when I arrived. I worked late to learn this part on the job. I struggled but I gradually built up my stock, to fill an empty display case".

Jean-Pierre is still there, in his workshop at the back of the shop. Midi Libre – ALAIN MENDEZ
The arrival of his son Tristan three years ago, at the end of his studies as a jeweler to help him, allowed him to refocus on watchmaking. “It suits me well, in connection with six or seven jewelers in Hérault who entrust me with their watches to repair. And since I am now the only one in this sector in town, I have recovered customers and our business is doing well, adds Jean-Pierre who is still enjoying Lodève. I enjoy myself with what I have, I continue to work with my small pension and I am very happy in this shop/workshop of about fifty square meters."

Despite a touch of nostalgia for the craftsman who, in 40 years, has seen the commercial dynamism of the Grand-Rue disappear and the artery become deserted with the arrival of supermarkets, the internet and new modes of consumption.

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