Gene Starnes, who operated Starnes Jewelers in Albemarle, NC, for several decades, died on Jan. 29.
He was 82, the Stanly News & Press reports.
Starnes retired in 2022. His brother-in-law, Chris Bramlett, took over ownership and the store rebranded as Starnes Bramlett Jewelers. Bramlett was a longtime certified gemologist appraiser at the store.
Gene Starnes, 1941-2024
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the store stated: “Gene spent nearly his entire life here at the store. He spent countless hours, here as a youth while his father ran the business. He began working here full-time in the 1960s, after college, and became sole owner in 1976 after his father passed away.”
His contributions to Albemarle and Stanly County “are immeasurable and his presence will be missed by all,” according to the post.
Advertisement
The store wrote: “We would be honored if anyone would like to share any special memories of time you might have spent with Gene over the years. Please feel free to add them in the comments to this post, send us an email to chris@starnesbramlett.com, or if you happen to live nearby, please feel free to stop by and share any memories with us here at the store. News of a service for Gene will be shared as our family works out the details.”
Upon taking over the store in 2022, Bramlett told the Stanly News & Press: “Everywhere I go people search me out and tell me how pleased they are that Starnes Bramlett is here and that we’re going to be the same jewelry store that they have been accustomed to all their lives.”
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.
