Interview with Jan Carpenter and Craig Ellison, owners
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: Both of us have worked in the wholesale end of the jewelry repair business for more than 25 years each. When we saw that there was a need for a store that specializes in jewelry and watch repair, we thought, “Why not us?” This way, instead of talking to a salesperson at a jewelry store and then they relay it to the jeweler, you can talk directly to the jeweler and have it completed in a fraction of the time. We opened our first store in Southwest Plaza in 2009 and had great success, but because of the remodel issues of that mall we found it best to move to Colorado Mills.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Most jewelry repair is done through a retail jewelry store and in a lot of cases with the larger chains they are interested simply in sales. They look at the repair side as a needed service, but if they had their choice they wouldn’t. We know this because we lived it for 25-plus years. When you come in to see us, there will be no high-pressure sales to trade in for something new, just make yours like new.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: The best part would have to be seeing the customers’ reaction when returning their finished item.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Right now it would be getting the word out about us. Neither Jan nor I are marketing gurus. Since moving from Southwest Plaza to Colorado Mills about two months ago, we get the majority of our customers from the old store. It might take a while to get this store going like our last (we were there five and a half years), but we are confident we will.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: Probably our turnaround time on repairs. Where most places take up to two weeks for a ring sizing, we can have it done in hours.
Profile
Business: The Jewelers’ Bench
Address: Colorado Mills Mall, 14500 W. Colfax Ave., No. 557
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2009
Contact: 303-932-0363,
Employees: 5
