Mundelein jewelry store could be refunding customers if we get 3 inches of snow

Customers who bought jewelry at P.K. Bennett Jewelers in Mundelein between Black Friday and Christmas Eve will get belated holiday presents if it snows more than 3 inches Wednesday: refunds.

And with the forecast calling for more than double that accumulation, shop owners Rich and Peggy Bennett couldn't be happier.

“We are praying and doing our snow dance every day,” Peggy Bennett said.

Rich Bennett estimated a heavy snowfall could mean $151,000 in refunds. The Bennetts bought a special insurance policy to cover the financial cost of the promotion, so they won't be out the cash.

“A lot of our customers were worried that we'd go out of business if it happened,” Rich Bennett said.

Any purchases between Nov. 29 and Dec. 24 will be covered, as long as the customer signed up for the promotion. More than 200 did.

Qualifying purchases ranged from less than $13 to more than $5,000, Bennett said.

Not all of Bennett's customers participated. Some chose discounts on purchases instead, he said.

At least 3 inches of snow must fall between midnight and noon for the giveaway. The Bennetts will be watching weather reports closely, rooting for more snow.

“The weather reports are looking very favorable for us,” Peggy Bennett said.

The jewelry store has been open on Butterfield Road since 2001. It moved to a different storefront in the same shopping center in October, and the Bennetts saw the promotion as a way to do something special for loyal customers.

They were inspired to launch the giveaway by jewelers that held similar giveaways.

One, in Alabama, promised to give away jewelry if it rained more than 1 inch on Labor Day, Rich Bennett said. It did.

“We thought this would be a great way to build some excitement and have some fun during the Christmas season,” he said.