Two divisions debut in America’s Coolest Stores
It’s here: the seventh edition of our annual hunt for America’s most innovative jewelry stores — INSTORE’s America’s Coolest Stores. And this year’s contest comes to you with one very major difference:
For the first time ever, we have two completely different competition categories — Big Cool and Small Cool. Each store’s category was determined by its number of full-time employees — 11 or more, Big Cool; 10 or fewer, Small Cool. Each category had its own pool of entrants, its own panel of judges, and ultimately, its own grand-prize winner. Congratulations to America’s two coolest stores — Big Cool winner Lee Read Jewelers of Meridian, ID, and Small Cool winner, Zachary’s Jewelers of Annapolis, MD.
Why the change? Because, as the America’s Coolest Stores contest has gained notoriety, we’ve heard from more and more jewelers how the winning selection of stores didn’t always feel like they were, to use a little emotional shorthand, “one of us.”
We hope that the new divisions bring a different feel to the selection of winners and that, no matter how large your store and how generous your start-up budget, you’ll feel a connection to at least some honorees in this issue. As for the others, as always, you can drool along with the rest of us.
Finally, I want to extend a special thumbs-up to the 117 stores that entered, the judges who donated their time, as well as the INSTORE staff (who have put in tons of overtime on this issue). We’re eager to hear your reactions. Let us know what you think of the winners, the new rules, the whole shebang.
Wishing you the very best business…
David Squires
dsquires@instoremag.com
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
