State of the Shop

The vibe at the Harbor Goldsmith in June is quite leisurely and laid back. The repair box is noticeably less stuffed to the brim. Our inventory has room to breathe on the shelves. Foot traffic has slowed to a very manageable trickle throughout the day. Our year-round residents have decided it is finally safe to emerge from their homes and get a bite to eat and tend to their errands without all of the crowds. April was surprisingly busy in our store. It actually carried over into May for us as well. There was a huge drop in business after Memorial Day. Please note that our store will be closed on Saturdays until the fall, and our summer vacation is scheduled for August 22nd-September 7th. We will reopen the day after Labor Day.

Keep in mind that during our off-season, it is a great time for custom projects and complex repairs. We can finally take a little breather and have extra time to devote to designing the perfect piece for you. Gold prices have dropped a bit as well, further incentivizing a project you have been mulling over for a while. I’m especially motivated to further discount existing inventory in order to make room for new, exciting designs for the upcoming season. These items aren’t doing me any good just sitting here! Let’s make a deal!

You may have noticed I took a little break from writing. My dad was kind enough to fill in for a bit. He enjoys summertime because he doesn’t have to be here guilt-free! It’s not as fun when he’s absent, for sure. We have a friendly competition over who writes better and has better taste. He is consistently surprised when I take risks and they work. Jewelry trends come and go; some things tend to have better staying power and will evolve to what we call a “bread and butter” piece. These items we speculate on become best sellers and are added to the inventory we carry all the time. Starfish, sand dollars, and palm trees are the top three best sellers. The compass rose has become a favorite as well, and I always have several on hand to choose from. They come in many beautiful colored stones such as mother of pearl, lapis, and onyx.

The Marco Island Map Pendant is a certified hit! I swear we sell two to three per day. The only problem we have had is the customer deciding what color they want! This is an especially sentimental item to give or receive. Everyone loves Marco Island and they enjoy that it was a collaborative project between my father and me. I will mention that the blue color in gold-plated was the fastest moving, followed by the seafoam green in gold-plated.

Here’s a cute story about the Marco Map pendant. An elderly man came into the store. He was wheelchair bound and had his son with him. He wanted to purchase four map pendants. I was pleased with the purchase and thanked him for making the trek. He had to tell me that he had sworn to never patronize our shop because over the years, he was so offended by my father’s articles complaining about the customers. I was definitely surprised at the anger, but amused that he came in anyway. He further explained that we shouldn’t be complaining about our customers but instead should be kissing them on the lips! You know what? He’s not wrong. Through the years, I had mentioned to my father that his grumpiness doesn’t come across as endearing if people don’t know him. I always thought that it may put off potential new customers. When I took over the writing, I made a conscious decision to not write in the same manner. There are so many wonderful things that happen daily in our shop, and those moments are what I choose to share and remember. This particular man confirmed what I knew in my heart to be true. Also, he was nearly 100 years old and made the effort to come into my little shop and share some feedback. I appreciate you, sir!

Honestly, you have to have a thick skin to work retail. Miscommunications can quickly spiral out of control, tempers can flare. Why do you think my dad can’t handle the daily pressures anymore? He’s tired! Look, I know how expensive things have gotten. I have been trying to keep costs down while still offering expert repairs. I have had to reassess how much inventory I can carry and speculate on. It’s all become so much more difficult. I know everyone is getting squeezed everywhere. I’m in the same boat. We get it. The toughest development is the higher cost for everyday parts like lobster claws, spring rings, and earring backs. I have to spend a great deal of time at the counter explaining why a heavy-duty gold earring back is $100 now. Trust me; this is not how I want to spend my day. We are here to help, not argue. I do a great deal of research trying to find alternatives when my suppliers price themselves out of my business.

This price comparison shopping has actually turned out well for me. I have tested a few new lines this past season that performed well, and I plan to expand their offerings come fall. I will continue to lean heavily into bold yellow gold looks, both modern and classic. I plan to expand my finished lab diamond jewelry inventory, focusing heavily on statement pendant pieces and right-hand rings. The future of lab diamond jewelry is bright and I’m always looking for fun, exciting designs that I would never be able to afford to stock if they were natural diamonds. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be so serious. We can buy jewelry that makes us happy to look at every day and we don’t even need a special occasion! Just because is just as much of a reason as any!