In 1951 Richard and Neysa Ketterman opened a card and gift shop called Vienna Variety. A chance diamond sale would shift the focus of the store from greeting cards and kitty-cat clocks to a more upscale jewelry and gift store. After 35 years of training in a successful family business, Mr. Ketterman told his son, Dan, it was time for him to have his own store. In August of 1988 Dan and Tammi opened Ketterman’s Jewelers in the Virginia Village Shopping Center in Leesburg. While the Ketterman’s philosophy of offering friendly service and fair prices helped the business grow, it was a racehorse named “Ducky” that allowed the business to thrive. Formally named Issue’s Alibi, this ugly duckling of a horse, had been named Penn National’s Horse of the Year in 1986, and continued winning to feed their growing family and allow all of the store’s profits to go back into the business. Dan and Tammi’s six daughters have all spent time working in the store, and four have chosen it as their profession. Dan was trained as a bench jeweler and spent several years as Ketterman’s sole designer and repairman. Daughter number four, Katie, has followed in his footsteps, and along with five other jewelers takes care of today’s customers’ repair and design needs. In 2020, the store moved half a mile up the street from their 32-year-home to a custom built-larger space. In celebration of their arrival at 212 Catoctin Circle, SE they opened their doors February 12 at 12:12pm. The girls often joke that they have taken the business back to it “Vienna Variety” roots, having over 150 jewelry designers and more than 50 gift lines in the store. The Ketterman Family takes pride in being a “small” family business and has been honored as Loudoun’s Favorite Jeweler and a Best of Virginia Jeweler for several years running. Dan, Tammi, the girls, and the Ketterman’s staff hope to serve Leesburg and the surrounding community for many years to come. You can read a lot more about the Ketterman Family and their Store at kettermans.com.
