Editor's Note

What’s Cool About Writing About “Cool Stores”

Independent jewelry retailers grow in “coolness” every year.

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2022

Trace Shelton Instore September 2022 Issue

THERE’S A REASON we’ve been covering America’s Coolest Jewelry Stores since our first issue in 2002: The best sources for you to learn from are other successful and innovative store owners. This annual issue should spur your creativity and ingenuity.

What amazes me most is that year after year, independent jewelry store owners find ways to take retailing to a new level, bringing in concepts from other retail and service sectors and using them to add to the experience their clients receive. This year alone, we cover M.S. Rau, which features museum-quality jewelry and paintings; Fiat Lux, which melds fine jewelry with body art and piercing; JustDesi, which offers an energy-filled Beverly Hills shopping experience while remaining approachable; Adornment + Theory, which focuses on diversity in its jewelry, artists and staff; Richter & Phillips, which converted a bank vault into a speakeasy; and Pistachios, which uses an innovative social media strategy to make the world of contemporary art jewelry more accessible.

My favorite part of our America’s Coolest Stores project is getting the chance to visit at least one of the winning stores. Writing about jewelry retailing is an exciting vocation, but it’s even more fun when you get to experience the store and interact with the people that make it cool.

If you’ve never entered, mark your calendar to visit instoremag.com/acs in January and do so. Yours might be the next store we all learn from!

Now Introducing The INSTORE Show, Coming to the Chicago Area in 2023!

Trace Shelton

Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

Organize jewelry by theme so clients can expand their collections beyond certain designers. (Fiat Lux, p. 38)
Integrate technology that allows you to control lighting and access cases with an iPad. (M.S. Rau, p. 48)
Use your store blog to tell the stories behind your clients’ weddings. (Adornment + Theory, p. 58)
Curate your jewelry online by mood so that customers can browse by “look.” (JustDesi, p. 66)
Use social media to give followers a behind-the-scenes look into your daily operations, from staff to artists. (Pistachios, p. 76)

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”