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People couldn't wait to get inside the new Rudolph’s jewelry store on Wednesday, May 21, 1947. Store owners were giving away free pieces of cake inside the Schenectady store . . . and free diamond rings hidden inside the cake.
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Business as (un)usual
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Posted: March 15, 2010
Bernard G. Rudolph wanted men, women and children at his new Schenectady store on Wednesday, May 21, 1947, when he opened his new Rudolph’s Jewelers store at 416-418 State St. Rudolph and his brother Max moved a lot of diamonds and wristwatches in 29 stores in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The Rudolphs wanted people to see their new store inside the new Rudolph Building, and also wanted to mark 22 years of business in Schenectady. That’s why they offered free slices of cake to people who attended the open house, and promised 22 diamond rings were hidden inside the cake. Two years later, another merchant who didn’t mind a little gimmick-related publicity was Vincent Rainone, proprietor of Ritz restaurant at 1725 Van Vranken Ave. With many people worried about tuberculosis in 1949, Rainone and his staff took advantage of a free X-ray clinic at City Hall. Dr. James Blake of the Glenridge Tuberculosis Sanitarium congratulated Vincent and his chefs and waitresses on their clean bills of health.
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