þ Forever Fine Jewelry has plans for a face-lift and fun promotions
Shelby Promoter, MT
Linda Bruch for the Promoter
If you own a piece of quality jewelry, you know the finest stones, gold, silver or platinum went into making it. You also know that when you purchased that piece of jewelry you were counting on it to last forever. Jack and Dawna Widmar know just how you feel about the jewelry you love. They are the new owners of Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts in Shelby and, just as its name implies, they are all about fine jewelry that you can count on to last a lifetime.
Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts is the new name given to what was Sutherland s Jewelry store. The Widmars changed the name when they took over ownership on Sept. 4. Dawna has over three years experience working in the jewelry industry, but Jack admitted, I am in learning mode 101. This is different than anything I ve ever done. However, I love staring at all the expensive stones.
Dawna worked for Sutherland s for the last three and a half years at the store in Shelby. I enjoyed it and have a little bit of history here, she said. When Lila retired, they asked us if we would be interested in buying the store. And here we are. Sutherland s Jewelry also has a store in Great Falls.
While some things will remain the same in the store, the Widmars said they have plans to make some changes as well. We are kind of fine tuning the inventory and what we are going to do with the stock we have on hand, said Dawna. We want to add some new and different kinds of jewelry, as well as add some interesting gift items.
It isn t just fine jewelry they offer, but a number of gift items are available, too. We carry crystal, Fossil sunglasses and wallets and a number of items that can be engraved, like picture frames, said Dawna.
Even with a fair amount of jewelry on hand, the Widmars know their customers may not see exactly what they are looking for when they come into the store. If we don t have what you want or we are out of stock, either way, we can get it for you, offered Dawna.
Along with the inventory changes, the interior of the store will be undergoing a few changes as well. We plan on closing the store for a couple days this month so we can lay new carpet and get some painting done, shared Dawna.
To celebrate their new look and new name, the Widmars have some promotional things planned in the upcoming months. They are hoping to hold their grand opening sometime in October and then start looking forward to the holiday season. They have a ladies afternoon, wine and cheese party planned, as well as a fun postcard promotion for the holidays.
Customers coming into Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts are invited to fill out a postcard using it as their wish list for items they see in the store that they would love to have for Christmas. The Widmars will then mail the postcard to the customer s significant other, making gift giving easier than ever. That is one service we will offer through the holidays, said Dawna.
Some services that were part of Sutherland s will continue at Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts. Things like minor jewelry repairs can still be done right in the store. However, a long-term goal is having Jack involved in the repair process. At some point, I hope to be doing most of the repairs right here, said Jack.
Both Jack and Dawna are proud of the fact that Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts is now a locally owned store. They are also proud to be the only jewelry store between Kalispell and Havre and Lethbridge and Great Falls, Jack added.
We want to get the word out to all our neighbors along the Hi-Line that we are here and open for business, Jack said. We are looking forward to serving everyone s jewelry needs.
Forever Fine Jewelry and Gifts is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in uptown Shelby at 323 Main Street.
