Innovation. Resilience. Perseverance.
Innovation. Resilience. Perseverance. Three words to describe the dynamic history of Chicago’s 185 years as a registered city, and three words to define the companies who helped build it.
As the Chicago Tribune celebrates its own 175year anniversary, there is perhaps no one better to revel alongside with than C.D. Peacock, the city’s first registered business and Chicago’s oldest guild jeweler. With a storied history dating back to the same year Chicago was recognized as a city, graduating from its former town-status in 1837, C.D. Peacock has not only been a fixture in Chicago’s luxury jewelry market for generations, but an essential catalyst to the city’s vibrant coming-of-age story.
“To put it in perspective, in 1837 the city had a population of 4,000,” says Seymour Holtzman, chairman of C.D. Peacock. “The tie-in with Chicago and Peacock sharing the same anniversary is
amazing. Peacock’s is Chicago and Chicago is Peacock’s. Then. Now. Always.” Today, the jeweler operates as an Official Rolex Jeweler, and is the oldest source of diamonds, jewelry and other luxury timepieces and gifts in Chicagoland. With the nation’s finest watchmakers, C.D. Peacock currently serves as a plaque repair facility for Rolex and many of the finest Swiss brands. Their expert team works with customers to realize their jewelry visions, designing luxury
pieces entirely from scratch. The road here was an exciting one — one defined by novelty, originality and modernism. The famed jeweler was originally founded as the House of Peacock in 1837 by Elijah Peacock, an English immigrant who brought with him a multigenerational history of jewelry trade and watch repair. Elijah’s revolutionary gold and silver wristwatches replaced the era’s popular grandfather clocks and pocket and pendant watches, and his repairs kept the city ticking
along, arriving on time while adorned in cutting-edge style. As Chicago grew in style and innovation throughout the 19th
and 20th centuries, Peacock’s aided in paving the way. As the premiere dealer of luxury
jewelry, Peacock’s also supplied the fine dining sets for the city’s emerging elegant party scenes, eventually positioning itself as the go-to luxury and celebratory gift provider. Frequent clientele comprised the likes of Chicago elite, including Mary Todd Lincoln, Chicago business legend Marshall Field, and International Harvester founder Cyrus McCormick.
As dynamic as Chicago’s history, C.D. Peacock’s very own history mirrored the city’s most significant events, including The Columbian Exposition (the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair), where it debuted its first retail catalog to influential innovators like Thomas Edison and Milton Hershey. Years prior, when the city was left fundamentally devastated by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, C.D. Peacock’s vault containing the brand’s most
valuable pieces remained largely intact, no doubt a symbol of the staying power of this iconic Chicago brand. C.D. Peacock would eventually land on its current name, when son Charles Daniel inherited the business in 1889 after years of apprenticeship and learning from his father as well as the world’s best jewelers and watchmakers. Under Charles’ leadership, C.D. Peacock would pave the way for artistic expression and expansion, including advertising jewelry from diverse communities. The company also did a great deal in investing in Chicago’s future, including commissioning the Palmer House Hotel’s Brass Peacock Door designed by
Louis Comfort Tiffany. A noteworthy ally of the Chicago Tribune for over 100 years as well, Peacock’s has remained an important advertiser, whose advertisements once read: “If you want to sell Chicago, tell Chicago, in the Chicago Tribune.” According to Holtzman, “We consider the Chicago Tribune our partner as both companies grew over the years together.” In 1993, Seymour Holtzman, owner of S.A. Peck on Chicago’s Jewelers Row, purchased the company. The Holtzman family’s leadership personifies the legacy of a family-inspired
foundation of exceptional quality and impeccable service as the company redefines luxury shopping. Today, the Holtzman family maintains the traditions and values established by the Peacock family. Seymour’s son Steven serves as the vice chairman and Steven’s wife, Qi, as chief experience officer, and each bring their unique customer service and management experience from time spent overseas. Steven is also joined by his daughter, Chelsea Holtzman Lawrence, vice president of Sales and Marketing, and Chelsea’s husband, Brandon Lawrence, director of Digital Marketing. Together, they have brought C.D. Peacock into modern times and have been instrumental in building the
company’s digital presence. Much like its predecessors and the foundation C.D. Peacock was built on, innovation remains at the forefront of the company’s values as the Holtzmans continue to re-invent the brand. In addition to their current locations in Woodfield Mall and Old Orchard, customers can look forward to the relocation of its current flagship at the Oakbrook Center to a brand-new, 20,500-square-foot store and enhanced retail experience in the former Clubhouse restaurant.
The Mansion at Oakbrook represents a monumental
investment in Oak Brook. “Much like when Elijah Peacock relocated Peacock’s as Chicago grew, in order to be in the most desirable shopping areas, today C.D. Peacock is doing the same with the Mansion at Oakbrook,” adds Steven. “Demonstrating the continued evolution of a company that is
responsive and innovative.” Until then, customers can continue to trust C.D. Peacock’s commitment to Chicago, its legacy and most importantly — its community. “Chicago’s history is C.D. Peacock’s history,” says Steven. “We grew from humble beginnings on the edge of the wilderness into our present-day stature. The journey is worth the struggle — financial crises, the great fire, pandemics and more. The spirit that began
after the fire echoes from the past to the present day. It is
what connects us and defines what it truly means to be Chicago — we will persevere.”
“Chicago’s history is C.D. Peacock’s history,”
This interview was conducted by an independent writer on behalf of C.D. Peacock. Neither the Tribune newsroom nor Editorial Board was involved in producing this content.