BIG COOL

These 10 Stores Were America’s Coolest Stores Honorable Mentions for 2024

Baxter’s Jewelry
Warwick, RI

Baxter’s, under the third-generation leadership of Paul Messerlian, stands out for its thoughtful floor plan, which showcases exquisite jewelry and offers an immersive experience for every visitor. The in-house 5th C Coffee Bar keeps diamonds top of mind. Messerlian’s work in selecting and setting 300 gemstones in the 2024 Kentucky Derby trophy only adds to the store’s cool factor.

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These 10 Stores Were America’s Coolest Stores Honorable Mentions for 2024

Frank Adams Jewelers
Albany, NY

The store design embodies fourth-generation owner Kimberly Adams Russell’s vision of creating a unique space that integrates with natural elements to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere. The modern structure features expansive angled windows strategically positioned to harness natural light. The exterior is eye-catching and impressive.

Ben Bridge Jeweler
Seattle, WA

The company’s flagship store, under the direction of Lisa Bridge, opened in 2023, marking a commitment to the importance of a thriving downtown. Inspired by the city’s natural beauty, the store incorporates stone, wood, geodes and even moss in its decor, while artwork reflects Seattle’s tradition of blown glass art. The effect is a pleasing mix of elegant and cozy, a veritable feast for the eyes.

JAB Jewelry Works
Bethel Park, PA

JAB owner Joe Banasso has transformed a machine shop into a sleek jewelry store with an industrial vibe and an expansive shop that pays homage to its past. A five-ton capacity crane hook hanging near the showroom’s entrance was preserved as a central design feature and branding element. Its shape now appears in JAB’s logo. The space pays homage to craftsmanship and invites customers to become part of the story.

Sissy’s Log Cabin
Memphis, TN

The 9,000-square-foot Memphis store is a model for the company’s future storefronts, offering luxurious boutique-style shopping with subtle nods to founders Sissy and Bill Jones’ log cabin roots. The design emphasizes natural light, ensuring the interior is warm while creating an inviting and modern atmosphere. The store delivers both luxury and the promise of Southern hospitality.

SMALL COOL

Stella Flame Gallery
Bridgehampton, NY

This clean, contemporary two-story gallery is designed by jewelry designer and owner Stella Flame to foster exploration and discovery and present jewelry as wearable art. It boasts 20-foot ceilings and a skylit entrance with multiple layered exhibition spaces. The gallery and its marketing materials are infused with orange, Flame’s favorite color, in all its glorious and joy-inducing shades, to create a positive vibe.

McCoy Jeweler
Dubuque, IA

Jonathan and Jennifer McCoy purchased the Main Street building the family business has occupied since 1976 and added significant space to their formerly tiny operation. Clients access a new bridal salon through an exposed brick hallway adorned with a moss feature wall. Along the wall are photos of McCoy couples and their “promises” to each other, establishing this as a space where love grows.

iLAH Cibis Jewelry
Worcester, MA

Owner Ilah Cibis created a magical, one-of-a-kind jewelry store from a dilapidated garage. The space has no windows, offering a series of interior surprises designed to resemble a combination of an old apothecary, library, and French art salon. Jewelry is displayed in interactive boxes on the wall, on tables that feature antique books, bell jars and even specimen jars filled with colored liquid.

The Diamond Bar
Town and Country, MO

As the inaugural tenant in the building, owner Chris Phillips had the opportunity to design every aspect of the environment to reflect his vision. Not a single nail holds the building together — it’s all pegged and grooved, reminiscent of the craftsmanship of a Lincoln Log cabin. At The Diamond Bar, clients sit in front of showcases that are part of an actual bar and sip craft cocktails or mocktails while they view the merchandise.

Sugar Plum Fine Jewelry
Glendive, MT

Sugar Plum Fine Jewelry, owned by Katelynne and Jayson Eslick, occupies the 117-year-old historical Krug Mansion, originally built as a private home and listed on the National Historic Register. Few architectural changes were made, allowing for the creation of small themed boutiques throughout the store. The business offers a warm and personal approach, a well-crafted online presence, and attention to visual aesthetics.

INSTORE Staff

Since launching in 2002, INSTORE has won 89 international journalism awards for its publication and website. Contact INSTORE's editors at editor@instoremag.com.

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Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."