Wilkes' Jewelers: fine jewelry and four generations of excellent service
What does it take for a business to remain open and successful for 110 years? Trust, integrity, honesty, and maintaining good customer relationships over the years.
That’s the story behind Wilkes’ Jewelers on Church Street in Appomattox. And, not only has this business steadily remained open for more than a century, it is also a family owned and operated business, now in its fourth generation!
Today, the business is run by Wayne and Peggie Simpson, who are joined by their son Christopher Simpson as well. Chris is the fourth generation family member to help run the business.
(Writer’s note: This story would not be complete without also mentioning the wonderful store clerk, Savannah Webber, who helps the family run the business).
Wayne’s mother Mabel Wilkes Simpson began learning the trade at age 13 from her father, L.M. Wilkes, who officially began the business in 1912.
As the story goes, in the early 1900’s, L.M. Wilkes was given a broken clock to try to repair, but to no avail. He was not able to fix it because it had missing parts, but the knowledge he gained of the inner workings of clocks and watches would become an asset for the rest of his life. Later, when he was asked to repair a second clock, he found success! L.M. recognized that he had a gift which could be of great service to the townspeople and thus he began Wilkes’ Jewelers at the end of Main and Church Streets in town.
Interesting fact: the second clock is still running in Appomattox County to this day.
His first business location for a clock and watch shop was in a simple window front at 1848 Church Street. In exchange for use of the small space, he agreed to take on the job of sweeping the entire building. As business grew, he would eventually also rent a room upstairs as a workspace. In 1946, L.M. purchased a property of his own and hired a construction team to build a modest building located at 1941 Church Street. The store remains in this location today, with a variety of improvements and renovations!
In 2019, the Simpsons made the decision to knock out one of the side exterior walls, and they expanded the building by 6 feet. They also expanded the back side of the building by 20 feet, adding more workspace for their team. This doubled the square footage of the original building! Today the enlarged and updated showroom showcases a variety of jewelry and gifts.
Diamonds and pearls and sapphires, oh my!
You’ll find a variety of diamond rings, necklaces, and earrings (which Peggie explains are the most popular item sold at Christmas time.) They offer pearls of all colors, styles of jewelry ranging from simple to spectacular, and birthstones of every cut and color.
They also offer customized class rings, ear piercing (and allergy free, nickel free earrings), estate and previously loved jewelry, as well as wall clocks, coo-coo clocks, and grandfather clocks!
Watches are a specialty as Wilkes’ Jewelers, as watch maintenance and repair has been a staple of the business since L.M. Wilkes began it in 1912. Today, it’s Wayne who is the watch master, like his mother before him, and his grandfather (L.M.) before her.
“I love to receive a non-working watch, make the repair and see it go out making perfect time,” Wayne said. In the shop, there are several pocket watches which are decades old, still keeping perfect time. Wayne continued to explain that today’s digital watches will one day wind up in landfills, but mechanical watches that must be wound can last an eternity it they are well cared for. Wilkes’ offers a wonderful variety of brand new watches for sale as well as watch batteries.
The jewelry store also offers a plethora of jewelry brands including unique pieces from The Southern Gates, which consists of sterling silver filigree jewelry whose design is based off of the iron gates you’ll find in historic Charleston, South Carolina.
Another brand with unique jewelry offered at Wilkes’ Jewelers is Alamea Jewelry from Hawaii, in which elements naturally found on the islands (such as Koa wood and blue Larimar) are used along with gold and silver.
Wilkes’ Jewelers also carries a variety of gifts for men, such as cross pins, tie tacks, tie bars, money clips, watches, rings, leather wallets, lighters, as well as sterling silver and gold chains. Many of these items are also engravable, which is done on-site at Wilkes.
Scroll to see a several great pieces of jewelry available at Wilkes' Jewelers in Appomattox.
“If you can dream it, we can make it.”
Chris is the craftsman of custom jewelry pieces. Many times, for example, a woman may want to use the diamond from her grandmother’s ring for her own unique engagement ring or diamond necklace.
So many people have family heirloom pieces that may just be sitting in a jewelry box, taking up space, never to be worn. Repurposing old pieces and creating new unique jewelry is a great way to continue a family’s legacy.
If you are dreaming up a special look, be sure to talk with Chris about it. He can provide CAD (computer aided draft) drawings of multiple ways your dream jewelry piece could look in real life. Once you choose your favorite, it will only be a matter of four weeks until your special piece is ready!
“Our family serving your families since 1912”
What’s neat about working in a family owned business in a tight-knit community such as Appomattox is that generations of families have gotten to know and trust Wilkes’ Jewelers over the years.
And likewise, the family at Wilkes’ Jewelers has had the pleasure of serving generations of local families and joining them in their celebrations and cherished moments.
Chris explained: “I like to develop a relationship with our customers and be there for them when they come in and buy their engagement rings and when they buy their wedding bands; when they buy their anniversary gifts, and when they have their little girl come in and we pierce her ears; and then they start buying their little girl jewelry. I want a relationship with the customers.”
Chris has learned that philosophy by watching his parents and grandmother build relationships with the community over the years. And, likewise, the community has also watched Chris grow up around the store, and now, along with his parents, he serves those same families.
People know that Wilkes’ Jewelers is a trustworthy business.
“There’s not a diamond in this world what I would risk my family’s reputation on,” Chris said, explaining that when you drop off a precious family heirloom for maintenance or repair, it remains in a safe space within the store until it's time for it to be worked on. Wilkes’ Jewelers does not send your jewelry off, risking it to be lost in the mail. The work is done right there on Church Street by Chris, himself.
Whether you’re looking for something sparkly for yourself or a classy gift for a loved one, Wilkes’ Jewelers, located at 1941 Church Street is a fantastic place to visit! Even if you’d just like to come in a take a peek at all they have to offer, rest assured your visit is a welcomed one!
You can also find Wilkes' Jewelers online at WilkesJewelers.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram. Give them a call at 434-352-5646 or email them at contact@wilkesjewelers.com to inquire about their services!
Store Hours:
Monday: 8:30am to 5pm
Tuesday: 8:30am to 5pm
Wednesday: 8:30am to Noon
Thursday: 8:30am to 5pm
Friday: 8:30am to 5pm
Saturday: 8:30am to Noon
Sunday: Closed
*Hours subject to change on holidays
Some photos provided by Wilkes' Jewelers. This article was written by Teresa Davis and is a paid advertisement. If you are interested in promoting your business on the Appomattox Happenings website, email, and social media, contact Teresa Davis through the contact form below or email appomattoxhappenings@gmail.com
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