Woods honors Ahee family during jewelry store’s 75th anniversary

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The owners of one of Grosse Pointe Woods’ most prominent businesses have been honored for their contributions to the community.

Ahee Jewelers, which has been located at 20139 Mack Ave. since 1968, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In honor of that milestone, Grosse Pointe Woods Mayor Arthur Bryant and the City Council presented members of the Ahee family with a proclamation during a Nov. 21 council meeting.

“It’s just a wonderful business — probably the premier business on Mack Avenue,” Bryant said. “We enjoy having you.”

Now in its third generation, Ahee Jewelers was founded by Edmund T. “Ed” and Bettejean Ahee in 1947, when it opened its first location in the back of a bowling alley owned by Ed Ahee’s uncle that was located in the area of Harper and Warren avenues on Detroit’s east side.

Although Ed and Bettejean Ahee have both passed away, their children and grandchildren continue to carry on their legacy and operate the family business. Several members of the Ahee family were on hand to receive the proclamation from Woods officials, including Peter Ahee, one of Ed and Bettejean’s children.

“I’d like to thank the city for all these years they’ve been supporting us,” Peter Ahee said. “It makes it so easy to work in such a (great) city.”

Some supporters of the city’s nonprofit arm, the Grosse Pointe Woods Foundation, have participated for a period of time before moving on to other endeavors, but City Councilwoman Vicki Granger said the Ahee family — and Peter Ahee, in particular — have been active since its inception. The Ahees were one of the major donors for the foundation’s first project, a clock tower in front of Woods City Hall.

“Since the creation of the Grosse Pointe Woods Foundation, you have been there,” Granger told the Ahees. “The city is a more beautiful place because of you and your family being here.”

Besides the Woods Foundation, the family has supported a number of nonprofits and community groups, including the Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

As observed in the proclamation, “in addition to providing excellent service and products, Ahee Jewelers has a long-standing history of giving back to the community.”

Residents and patrons of Woods businesses have been enjoying the generosity of the Ahee family since Nov. 1, when almost all the city’s metered parking spots were covered with decorative bags courtesy of the Ahees, who are reimbursing the city for lost meter revenue for November and December.

“This November marks 75 years of business, and we were exploring different ways to both give back to and celebrate with the community,” Vice President Andre Ahee said in a press release. “Grosse Pointe Woods has been our home and a large part of our success. This is a way to say ‘thank you’ for the support for all these years.”