Britt's Jewelers
By Rebecca Pierre
Finding a jeweler you can trust with your favorite jewelry or antique watches can be a disheartening task. Most jewelry stores are owned by corporations and cannot guarantee that your items will be handled safely. They do no have the personnel on staff who can make repairs or reset stones; consequently, they must rely on sending your jewelry out by mail.
Not so at Britt’s Jewelers, second generation, family-owned business.
Chuck Britt says, “as young boy I began helping in the store by wrapping gifts at holiday times. As I was growing up, Dad taught me repairing. I eventually went to college but came back to the family business after I graduated.
The success of the Whiteville store led to the opening of a second store in Shallotte in 2005, and in the spring of 2010 the Whiteville store was moved to its present location in Leland.
Using a state-of-the-art laser welder, the Britts repair watches, chains and bracelets on the premises. They remount settings in pendants, rings and bracelets, add stones to existing jewelry and design new mountings.
“Full-service watchmakers are a dying breed,” says Chuck. “Most of the watches now have quartz movement, which is just thrown out and replaced when there are problems. Because of our training and our access to the required mechanical watch parts, we are able to repair antique watches. All the work is done in the store so you know that your jewelry is safe. And since there is no middleman to pay, the prices are better. In fact, we can be more flexible with all our prices because we have no require quotas to meet.”
Britt’s Jewelers carries an extensive bridal selection as well as loose diamonds and semi-mounts in styles from vintage to contemporary. They can work with you to design your unique engagement and wedding rings and set and size them in the store. If you see something you like online, they can get it for you.
Britt’s offers a full line of gemstones, including birth stones and pearls. They also sell diamonds on consignment. Free verbal appraisals of your jewelry are available and written appraisals for insurance coverage of your valuables are done as well.
The friendly folks at Britt’s Jewelers make you feel at home in the casual atmosphere of their stores. They have a warm personal touch that cannot be found in corporate stores.
“We have many local customers and repeat customers,” says Chuck “The customers become like family and sometimes just stop to chat and pass the time of day.”
The next time you are considering having your jewelry repaired, thinking of purchasing new jewelry or just feel like browsing, stop at Britt’s Jewelers in Leland or Shallotte and experience the difference for yourself.
Britt’s Jewelers, 1107 New Pointe Boulevard, Leland, (910) 383- 2667; 150 Holden Beach Road SW #2 Shallotte, (910) 754-4929
