NORWICH — The City of Norwich Common Council honored owners of McNeil Jewelers Jim and Patrick McNeil with a proclamation at Tuesday's common council meeting.

The proclamation was to honor and recognize the business' 79 years of operation in the City of Norwich.

McNeil Jewelers was first established in 1946 by Robert McNeil. His sons, Jim and Patrick McNeil, later took over the business and have run it for the past 50 years. They were at their location at 25 South Broad Street in downtown Norwich since 1974, and were the last remaining jeweler in the city.

The brothers decided to retire and close up the shop with their last day of business on May 23.

"McNeil Jewelers and its proprietors have been an integral part of the entire community and played a critical role in downtown Norwich, they will be missed by all," the proclamation reads. "We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Jim McNeil and Patrick McNeil for all their years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication and wish them the very best in their retirement."

Jim joined the family business at 19 years old, and Patrick said he knew by high school that he wanted to be a part of it, too.

Patrick attended the Bulova School of Watchmaking for two years, and then went on to attend the Watchmakers of Switzerland Technical Education Program in Switzerland.

The McNeil brothers are looking forward to their retirement. Patrick said he will continue working in the real estate business, and plans to do more bass fishing. Jim will continue his role as a Chenango County Supervisor, and plans to run again this year, while also taking some time to improve his golfing.