Wanna Buy A Watch?, Los Angeles, CA
OWNER: Wanna Buy A Watch?; ADDRESS: 7366 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046; PHONE: 323-653-0467
OUR THIRD-PLACE STORE, Wanna Buy A Watch? is run by former clinical psychologist Dr. Ken Jacobs, who can obviously get inside customers’ minds to see just what it is they want when it comes to buying jewelry and watches. WBAW? is located in a spacious California Mission-style building where they showcase a vintage watch collection which drives the store’s brand, as well as antique diamond rings.
WBAW?’s interior design reflects the nature of their business, the appearance of an elegant salon from the stylish 1920s realized with a distressed hardwood floor, coved ceilings and columns, custom-built wooden showcases and old fashioned ceiling fans.
Outside, the entire façade of the building was renovated — an unattractive metal awning had previously obscured the front of the Spanish-style building. Says office manager April Reynolds, “We’re locally renowned for our kitsch and unusual merchandise and style.” They’ve been featured on television numerous times, with showings on Blind Date and documentaries on the Bravo and Collecting channels.The panel all loved the use of wood, though there was disagreement over the store’s name. “I like the Spanish mission style and hardwood floors,” says Karen Karch, while Gwen Carrington extols “a complete mesh with the merchandising mix of watches and antique jewelry.” Bob Olmstead, though, thinks, “They need to change their name if they are going to get serious about jewelry.” Anne Sowden disagrees. “I love the name of this store,” she says, adding, “Really makes me wanna buy a watch … and other things!”
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Copycat Tips:
- Store carefully tailored to reflect market niche
- Most reliably attractive building material? Wood you care to guess?
Watch Out For:
- Quirky names might put some customers off
Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
