Armentor Jewelers is holding a retirement sale in honor of owner Eric Armentor, who is passing ownership of his stores in New Iberia and Lafayette to his son Mike so he can retire.

Eric Armentor finds it particularly satisfying to have served generations of loyal customers over the years — 80 that the business has been open — according to a prepared statement from Armentor Jewelers. He wants to ensure that continues, Armentor said.

“We have a third generation of ownership and a third generation of customers,” Armentor said in the statement. “It’s a rewarding thing when people come in and say, ‘Oh my Dad bought this’ or ‘My grandparents bought this from your dad.’ We hear those stories all the time, and it’s certainly heartwarming.”

The sale is a way of saying thanks to the community for making Armentor Jewelers a success since his father Junius opened a jewelry store with a business partner on Iberia Street in October 1939, Armentor said.

“It’s an opportunity to reward our customers for their loyalty and patronage all these years,” he said.

The store began the retirement sale Thursday at both locations — 1020 E. Dale St. in New Iberia and 1921 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Suite 101 in Lafayette. Deals are available on unique, high-quality jewelry including diamond engagement rings, a wide selection of color stones, pearls, baby jewelry and brand-name watches, according to the statement.

Eric Armentor said he recalled doing work such as engraving at the store while in high school. He found the work appealing and decided to work at the family business full time when he turned 18 in 1972. It’s been his calling ever since. Junius Armentor died in 1980. Eric Armentor said his father loved people and had a gift for gab.

“Even when he was sick, he would come and sit in the store and just chat,” he said. “He loved people, politics and boxing. He was a boxer in his early days.”

His mother Edith Armentor, who died in 1989, was from Germany and had spent a lot of time working at the store as well. Many customers fondly remembered her as the pretty German lady who never lost her accent, her son said.

“It’s always been our business philosophy to be friendly and helpful and not pushy,” Armentor said. “I think as a result we’ve developed warm relationships with customers personally over the years.”

The family also has been civic-minded. Eric Armentor served as chairman of the area Chamber of Commerce, working closely with the business community, and has served as president of the Kiwanis Club of New Iberia and chairman of United Way of Iberia, and volunteers at St. Francis Diner.

The store also has sponsored many community events over the years such as Home for the Holidays, the Delcambre Shrimp Festival, the Sugarcane Festival, Project Graduation, local churches and schools and the Berry Queens, who fundraise for Habitat for Humanity.

Armentor plans to work with nonprofits and volunteer during his retirement years.

“I love my community, and I want to try to give back where I can,” he said.

The father of two sons and a daughter said in the statement that he’s looking forward to traveling with his wife Debbie and spending more time with his eight grandchildren. But he may still stop by the store once in a while to catch up with customers, many of whom he considers friends, or to help his son Mike out if needed.

“We’ve had a good life,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed working and helping people.

“I love this business. There are certainly things I’m going to miss.”