David Squires

Editor’s Note: Now This Is Cool

Big or small, these America’s Coolest Stores contest winners have stories to learn from.

Published

14 years ago

August 2, 2009

David Squires

WELCOME TO INSTORE’S eighth annual edition of America’s Coolest Stores. It’s also our second year with individual categories for Big Cool (six or more employees) and Small Cool (five or fewer employees).

No matter what kind of store you are today, or what kind of store you aspire to be tomorrow, we’re confident that you’ll find something in every winner’s story to inspire you.

Take our Big Cool winner — London Jewelers of Manhasset, NY. From all outward appearances, this is an ultra-elite store — with in-store boutiques for the most exclusive designers, as well as advertising in high-end magazines like Town & Country and Robb Report. But this is a success story that was anything but easy. You’ll learn how the store was once a weekend away from being sold. Or how, in the 1970s, the then small mom-and-pop store spent two years trying to convince Rolex that London Jewelers was worthy of carrying its line.

Our Small Cool winner — Zoltan David of Austin, TX — has an equally fascinating story. A renowned jewelry designer, David decided to open his own retail front so he could maintain a connection with customers. Instead of doing it in Manhattan or Los Angeles, he did it in Austin, TX. And instead of opening a typical retail front he opened a space that’s actually more art gallery than jewelry store. Little product, lots of space, and tons and tons of wood. It’s a store that, if you go in once, you won’t forget.

Thanks to all 106 stores that competed. And thanks to the judges who shared their valuable time to help us once again uncover the country’s most exciting jewelers.

Wishing you the very best business

David Squires

dsquires@instoremag.com

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”