Instore Magazine • May 2025 • OUR READERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS

➤ [The March article “Store Design 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 Preston, Crown Jewelry, 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 Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, 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 Baribault-Ortiz, Baribault Jewelers, Glastonbury, CT

➤ We removed our old gray carpet and installed vinyl flooring with a wood look last summer. It really brightened up and modernized the look of our store. Jill Hornik, Jae’s Jewelers, Coral Gables, FL

➤ 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 Kinzie, Leonard Jewelry, Stillwater, OK

➤ A few years back, we decided to change out the lights in our ceiling cans for new LED from Lighting-4diamonds. 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 Perry, Perry’s Emporium, Wilmington, NC

➤ I 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 Eisen, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, 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 Finer, Finer Jewelry, 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.