Plant City Jeweler Marks 40 Years: Brown's Continues Local Service

Russell Brown has operated a jewelry store at the same address in Plant City for four decades. The business, Brown's Jewelers, held its 40th anniversary celebration on Oct. 21. It remains a locally owned operation that serves generations of customers from its storefront on James L. Redman Parkway.

The store opened in 1986 at 1705 James L. Redman Parkway. It began as a brick-and-mortar location after Brown and his father sold jewelry at flea markets. Those early sales took place at the Seminole Flea Market and the Oldsmar Flea Market. The original business name was Amstel Gold, a reference to the Amstel River in Amsterdam. The name came from Brown's father's marriage to a Dutch woman. The business adopted the name Brown's Jewelers in 1995.

Brown started working in the trade as a teenager alongside his father. He has watched the surrounding neighborhood change over the years. A Walmart once occupied the space next door, which is now home to Southern Hospitality. The store has remained in the same location through economic recessions and periods of growth in the city.

Brown attributes the business longevity to one factor. He identifies service as the key to keeping customers. He notes that while online shopping offers convenience, it does not replicate the in-person experience. Customers can examine how a stone catches light or feel the weight of a bracelet in hand. This physical inspection helps buyers verify craftsmanship and fit before making a purchase.

The store builds trust through long-term relationships. Some customers from Canada hold onto jewelry for repairs or resizing until they return to Florida. They choose to wait for the store's specific service rather than taking their pieces to a jeweler closer to home. Brown states that customers have increasingly returned to in-person shopping for jewelry. He adds that traditional styles remain popular despite shifting trends.

The store is preparing to add a laser engraver. This new equipment will allow staff to personalize items with initials and designs. The addition aims to give customers another way to customize their purchases. Brown's Jewelers is located at 1705 James L. Redman Parkway, Suite G. It operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The store is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.