Laurie (L.T.) Hartzog Jr. always set his goals pretty high.

Such aspirations led him to fly over northern Italy and Germany in 38 combat missions as a B- 24 navigator during World War II as a member of the Army’s Air Corps.

Things did not change once he got back on solid ground, serving local residents’ need for jewelry and other gifts at his downtown Gaffney business, Hartzog’s Jewelry.

A place dear to the heart of the local businessman, the jewelry store will serve as the venue for Hartzog’s 90th birthday party.

“He started the store and ran it for more than 60 years,” said Hartzog’s youngest son and current Hartzog’s Jewelry cooperator, Charles, who runs the family business along with his wife Glenda. “He had built such a good relationship with customers and the community that it was only right to have it here.

“Hopefully, a lot of his military buddies, friends and former customers come and say hello.”

A birthday party in his honor will take place Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

Founded by L.T. Hartzog in 1946, the retail store consisted of a mere 300-square feet of space. The jewelry and gifts supplier has grown immensely from such humble beginnings, the business now residing in a 5,000 square foot showroom downtown.

According to Charles Hartzog, it seemed no other place would provide the amount of space needed to put on such an event.

“Dad currently resides at Magnolia’s of Gaffney, but there would not be enough space to have it there; not enough space to get in and out,” Charles Hartzog said. “Luckily, our downtown store provides a good central location in which everyone that wants to wish him a happy birthday can do so.”

For more information, call Hartzog’s Jewelry at (864) 489-2244.