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Reader Letters About Redecorating, Trade Shows and More

Some share the secrets of their affordable renos.

Published

9 months ago

May 5, 2025

INSTORE Staff Instore May 2025 Issue

[The March article “Sizzle on a Shoestring”] spurred us on to do a small makeover of the showroom. Added more art, took down clutter, and changed up the room to make it look more open. — Shannon P., Altus, OK
My staff was so excited about the article, they ordered new rugs for the studio and took the old “put it in the closet” closet in the little shop and turned it into a gem lab! The walls are painted with chalkboard paint so the gemologist can jot down notes as she is studying stones, plus the black walls give her a really dark room when she has to use UV or other light to test gemstones. If I would have asked, there would have been less excitement. Reading about it in INSTORE was a real motivator. — Jo G., Oconomowoc, WI
Fresh greens in vases around the store! We go to Trader Joe’s for these! Long-lasting, low maintenance and super reasonable spruce-up for spring! — Christina B., Glastonbury, CT
We feel that change is important to keep everything spruced up, and that keeps a budget at a minimum. Just moving things around makes it all look fresh and different and keeps customers looking! — Annette K., Stillwater, OK
A few years back, we decided to change out the lights in our ceiling cans for new LED from Lighting4diamonds. The look of our whole showroom changed. Clients said it felt cleaner and bigger and brighter. We have made the change in all three of our locations now. Always freshen up paint on high traffic areas. — Josh P., Wilmington, NC
We removed our old dark gray carpet and installed vinyl flooring with a wood look last summer. It really brightened up and modernized the look of our store. — Jill H., Coral Gables, FL
Always look forward to the trade shows and the upcoming seminars. Being more selective on what we buy, which vendors, and how we want to project our image to our customers. Looking forward to more custom orders with more unusual colored stones. Never a dull moment in this industry and have to keep ahead of the curve! — Susan E., El Paso, TX
Recently moved to a much smaller space. Got rid of eight showcases. Only one left. Working by appointment. Didn’t know how this would work, but so far it has been good. Selling very different items than before. Engagement ring styles are changing drastically. Time to scrap old jewelry. — Atalie F., Chicago, IL

ERRATUM: In our March issue, the Sophia By Design phone number listed in New Arrivals was incorrect. The correct number is (215) 629-0260. We apologize for the error.

Honoring a Legacy: How Smith & Son Jewelers Exceeded Every Goal With Wilkerson

When Andrew Smith decided to close the Springfield, Massachusetts location of Smith & Son Jewelers, the decision came down to family. His father was retiring after 72 years in the business, and Andrew wanted to spend more time with his children and soon-to-arrive grandchildren. For this fourth-generation jeweler whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1918, closing the 107-year-old Springfield location required the right partner. Smith chose Wilkerson, and the experience exceeded expectations from start to finish. "Everything they told me was 100% true," Smith says. "The ease and use of all their tools was wonderful." The consultants' knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. Smith and his father set their own financial goal, but Wilkerson proposed three more ambitious targets. "We thought we would never make it," Smith explains. "We were dead wrong. We hit our first goal, second goal and third goal. It was amazing." Smith's recommendation is emphatic: "I would never be able to do what they did by myself."