Local jeweler marks four decades of continuous service in Plant City

Brown's Jewelers is installing a laser engraving machine to expand its personalization services as the business marks 40 years of continuous operation in Plant City.

The store, owned by Russell Brown, has occupied the same storefront at 1705 James L. Redman Parkway, Suite G, since 1986. The business celebrated its anniversary on Oct. 21, ending four decades of serving the local community from that specific location.

The family business began as a flea market jewelry operation under the name Amstel Gold. Brown and his father sold pieces at venues including the Seminole Flea Market, which previously occupied the site of the current Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and the Oldsmar Flea Market. The original name referenced the Amstel River in Amsterdam, a nod to Brown's father's Dutch wife.

The family established a brick-and-mortar location in 1986. Nine years later, in 1995, the business officially adopted the name Brown's Jewelers. Brown began working alongside his father as a teenager and has managed the store through various economic shifts and neighborhood changes. The store operated next to a Walmart in the space now held by Southern Hospitality.

Brown attributes the business longevity to personal service. He notes that customers, including some from Canada who reside in Florida part of the year, often wait to have jewelry repaired or resized locally rather than using nearby competitors. This practice demonstrates long-term trust in the store's craftsmanship and care.

The owner emphasizes the value of in-person shopping for jewelry. He states that customers prefer to see how a stone catches light and assess the weight of a piece before purchasing. Brown observes that customers have returned to in-person shopping, particularly for traditional styles, despite the convenience of digital options.

The store plans to use the new laser engraver to add initials and designs to customer purchases. This addition aims to provide another method for personalizing items while maintaining the face-to-face connection that defines the business model.

Brown's Jewelers is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The store remains at 1705 James L. Redman Parkway, Suite G, in Plant City.