Jo Ann Butler has a couple of bowls filled with enticing sweets strategically placed on counters in Jones Jewelry, 5 N. Jefferson. The candy is a reward to shoppers coming in, and also may help get them in the frame of mind to leave with sparkling rings, pendants or bracelets nicely displayed for easy browsing. JONES JEWELRY is an Iola fixture.
Butler said Christmas shopping has broken open in specialty shops such as hers, and thinks maybe a powdering of snow would put people even more in the mood.
Realist she is, though, and understands that national advertising campaigns and availability of merchandise on the Internet is a factor that local stores such as hers have to deal with.
Shopping locally has many advantages.
Where else, for example, may a person have a new ring sized for free and gift wrapped free for the asking. Also — this pertains to anyone — Butler offers free jewelry cleaning, whether the piece is purchased in her shop, or not.
“I like to help people out,” she said.
The most popular item of jewelry so far in the young holiday shopping season has been pendants, Butler said.
“Sterling (silver) and 14 karat gold, in earrings, pendants and rings, always are popular,” she said, and there’s more than a thread of truth in diamonds being a girl’s best friend.
She also has watches and porcelain collector dolls.
Butler purchases scrap gold and silver, which can add up quickly with today’s commodity prices being what they are.
Butler plans no special hours. Her shop is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 7 p.m. on Thursday. For information call 365-2681.
“Someone was in the other day and asked how long I’d been here,” Butler said. “I said about 30 years, but when I got to thinking it’s a little longer than that.”
Forty-four years to be exact. She began working in the shop in 1968 and has been its owner since 1999.
In all that time she’s helped a lot of folks with their jewelry needs and has learned well what many of her repeat customers like, which is a handy aside for husbands or others looking for a special gift.
And if she doesn’t have just what is wanted today, wait a few days.
“I’ll be getting in some new things before long,” Butler said.
Butler offers more than merchandise
