Arcadiasbest.com blogger Larry Stewart has been named president of Prince Jewelers in Arcadia.
Lam shows Lakers coach Phil Jackson his cufflink gifts
Stewart, a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years, has been a friend and customer of Si “Lam” Huynh since Lam opened Prince Jewelers in 1983. The store is in the retail center at 411 E. Huntington Drive.
Over the past couple of years Stewart has introduced Lam to a few of his many high-profile friends in sports and other professions. One of those introductions led to Lam creating custom cufflinks for Lakers coach Phil Jackson celebrating Jackson’s 10th NBA championship, which Stewart arranged to deliver in person with Lam prior to a Lakers game last year through Jackson’s girlfriend and Lakers executive vp Jeanie Buss. Lam also surprised Jeanie with a custom-made pendant.
Larry Stewart (r) standing next to Arcadian Gino Roncelli and Stewart's friend legendary golfer and CBS Sports commentator Ken Venturi and his wife Kathleen, whom he met at Prince Jewelers through owner Si "Lam" Huynh (l)
Stewart, an Arcadia resident since 1978, said his new career opportunity with Prince Jewelers is primarily a public-relations position. “I’m going to be working with my good friend Lam in spreading the word about the fabulous work he does as a custom jewelry designer. I feel very comfortable doing this because, as a longtime customer, I’m very familiar with Lam’s work. And I’m well aware of his excellent reputation in and around Arcadia.”
Lam, who came to the United States in 1979 from his native Vietnam, said he is thankful that his business continues to do very well after nearly 30 years despite the poor economy of the last couple of years. He is happy that Stewart has agreed to officially help him expand his base of customers even further. “I don’t have the time to get out in the public and talk about my jewelry. Through his many years in the newspaper business, Larry knows a lot of people and is well liked. I think he is the perfect person to help us grow our business.”
Jackson and Buss loved their new jewelry and fell in love with Lam. As a result, Lam became known within the Lakers organization. After Stewart helped Lam become a finalist among jewelers being considered to make the team’s 2010 championship rings, he was offered the position of president.
“When it comes to jewelry, I’m a novice – a diamond in the rough, if you will,” Stewart said. “Lam is the expert there. But I think we’ll make a great team.” Unable to resist the temptation to continue the pun parade, Stewart added, “Lam is a prince of a guy. And I think I now have a gem of a job.”
Stewart can be reached at 626 445-8631 or elstewarte@aol.com (Elstewarte was Stewart’s nickname at the Times.) Lam can be reached at Prince Jewelers at 626 445-5229 or through his website: www.princejewelers.com.
— By Scott Hettrick