‘A lot of hugging and a lot of tears’: Midlands jewelry shop to close after 58 years
For nearly 60 years, Midlands residents have been able to turn to Lexington Jewelers for necklaces, rings and various other shiny baubles. But now the shop’s time on the local scene is growing short.
Lexington Jewelers, located at 134 East Main St. along Lexington’s busy downtown corridor, will close its doors for good at 2 p.m. Christmas Eve. The shop is having a going-out-of-business sale, with discounts being offered on much of its inventory.
Longtime store owner Barnette Scott, 73, said she thinks the time is simply right to bring the business to an end and enjoy a retirement.
“I’ve been praying about it,” Scott told The State. “I’ve been threatening to close for a couple years. My family has been wanting me to retire and enjoy life a little bit. I’ve worked hard all my life. ... It was just time.”
Lexington Jewelers was first opened by Bruce Cook in 1963. He sold the business to Scott and her husband in 1983. Scott’s husband died in 1996, and she continued to run the shop after his passing.
“The good Lord has blessed us with all the ups and downs of of owning a small business, and the community has given us such support over the years,” Scott said. “We’ve been very blessed, that’s for sure.”
That community support was bolstered Monday night, as the Lexington Town Council passed a proclamation honoring Scott and Lexington Jewelers for their decades of business and service.
Scott said it has been tough talking about the closing with longtime customers and friends.
“You talk about an emotional roller coaster,” Scott said. “This has been my baby all these years. A lot of tears have been shed. But everybody has been happy that I’m going to retire. ... When you come in my door, you become my friend. Men, women and children alike. There has been a lot of hugging and a lot of tears. But there are a lot of friendships that will continue.”
The longtime jewelry shop owner said customer service was paramount during her time and that her specialty was custom design and repair.
“I’ve been designing and making jewelry for 40-plus years,” Scott said. “We called ourselves personal jewelers, and that’s how we’ve been all our lives. Personal jewelers to make sure that we would do what you need done and help you find what you need and make heirloom pieces that would be passed on.”
The impending closure of the jewelry shop will be another turn for the changing face of the Main Street corridor in Lexington. The thoroughfare has seen sweeping change in recent years, with a number of new bars, restaurants, coffee shops and other destinations popping up. The Icehouse Amphitheater, just off Main Street, has offered concerts, movies, festivals and more and has served as an anchor for the district.
