Mark Tapper Named to Crain's 40 Under 40 Class of 2012

Tapper's family jewelry business expected to pull in $50 million this year alone, according to Crain's Detroit Business.

Mark Tapper, who took the reins of the family's business, Tapper's Fine Jewelry Inc., last year at the age of 30, was named to the Crain's Detroit Business 40 Under 40 class for 2012. Tapper, now 31, started the Tapper's Gold Exchange outlet in 2009 and helped guide it from one pop-up store to 12 permanent locations across the region since then, according to Crain's. The 2009 (MBA) Harvard Business School graduate became president of the company founded by his father Howard Tapper, which is expected to pull in $50 million revenue this year, continued the story. He and other awardees will be honored at an event taking place 5:30-9 p.m Oct. 24 at Shriners Silver Garden Events Center in Southfield. Go to crainsdetroit.com/events for more …

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Police Blotter

Police: Retired Cop Prevents Jewelry Store Robbery

Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

West Bloomfield Township Police Department reports from Aug. 28-Sept. 4 included the following highlight: A retired West Bloomfield Police officer working as security at Tapper's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry Sept. 1 helped prevent a robbery which has lead to one arrest, according to police. Colby Jermel Whatley, 19, of West Bloomfield, was arrested after a possible attempt to break open a case in the store containing fine watches at about 1:40 p.m. Saturday, according to Lt. Curt Lawson. Whatley is lodged at Oakland County Jail on $5,000 sure surety after being charged with first-degree retail fraud, a five-felony. Lawson said that Whatley and another man entered the store with a small hammer, wearing gloves, in order to break open a case. …

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Giving Back #1: Donate Gently Used Coats at Tapper's

The spirit of giving back is alive in West Bloomfield. Patch tells you how to be a part of it.

With the holidays approaching many people begin to think of ways they can give back to the community and the less fortunate.  Over the next five days, we will share with you five different local ways you can help others around Thanksgiving time. Giving Back #1: Mission: Donate gently used coats in toddler to adult sizes or other warm weather clothing by Nov. 18.  Objective: To help out needy local families and individuals, students in the Detroit Public Schools, Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac, Kids Kicking Cancer of Detroit, Orchards Children's Services of Southfield and more organizations who distribute the coats properly. Owner Steven Tapper said the store has been committed to this annual event for so long they receive phone calls …

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Police Blotter

Tapper's Offers Reward for Stolen Rolex

Here are highlights of incidents reported to the West Bloomfield Police Department from Feb. 22-Tuesday.

The West Bloomfield Police Department needs help to find a man suspected of retail fraud involving a $29,000 Rolex watch. The watch, a Rolex Presidential, yellow/gold in color and featuring a round black wave dial, was taken from Tapper's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry Store in Orchard Mall around 5 p.m. Saturday, according to police reports. Owner Steven Tapper said a reward of $1,500 is offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. The suspect had been trying on various watches when he suddenly fled with the Rolex, Lt. Tim Diamond said. Tapper said no one was injured and that business continued as usual for the longtime West Bloomfield retailer. "We have fingerprints that we believe are accurate, and we need help to find this …

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