IndependentsApr 05, 2023
Longtime Arkansas Independent Newton’s Jewelers to CloseIndependentsApr 07, 2023
Sycamore Jewelers to Close After 25 Years
Owner Joe Cheslock is closing the Virginia store as he heads into retirement.
Sycamore Jewelers is set to close after 25 years in Midlothian, Virginia, as its owner retires.
Midlothian, Va.—Sycamore Jewelers in Midlothian, Virginia, will shut its doors after 25 years as its owner, Joe Cheslock, heads into retirement.
Cheslock founded and ran the company alongside his late business partner Terry Sprankle, who died unexpectedly last Christmas Eve.
In a Facebook post sharing news of Sprankle’s death, Cheslock described him as “a laid-back, low- stress guy who always had a smile for people. Everybody loved Terry, and he loved everybody. He had a special place in his heart for children, probably because of his own young-at-heart spirit.”
The pair met while working at nearby Morton’s Jewelers and had more than 80 years of combined experience.
Though Cheslock and Sprankle had a lot of expertise to share, they aimed to keep things light and fun for their customers.
“We’ve always felt that we didn’t want to be stuffy jewelers,” said Cheslock. “While we deal with expensive items for important occasions, we have always felt that it should all be fun.
“People who come into a jewelry store are often intimidated, as they don’t know what they are looking at. We give as much information as customers want to take in, but the experience is all about making people happy.”
The full-service jewelry store started out as a small shop inside Midlothian’s Sycamore Square, but soon outgrew the space, relocating to a larger space in the same center.
Later, the jeweler opened a second location in nearby Chester, Virginia.
In 2013, the company bought an even larger space in nearby Commonwealth Centre and consolidated into one location.
Prior to Sprankle’s passing, Cheslock said they already were planning for retirement.
Though he will miss his customers, Cheslock said he’s ready for a new chapter in his life.
The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale, which will continue until everything is sold.
Related stories will be right here …
Cheslock founded and ran the company alongside his late business partner Terry Sprankle, who died unexpectedly last Christmas Eve.
In a Facebook post sharing news of Sprankle’s death, Cheslock described him as “a laid-back, low- stress guy who always had a smile for people. Everybody loved Terry, and he loved everybody. He had a special place in his heart for children, probably because of his own young-at-heart spirit.”
The pair met while working at nearby Morton’s Jewelers and had more than 80 years of combined experience.
Though Cheslock and Sprankle had a lot of expertise to share, they aimed to keep things light and fun for their customers.
“We’ve always felt that we didn’t want to be stuffy jewelers,” said Cheslock. “While we deal with expensive items for important occasions, we have always felt that it should all be fun.
“People who come into a jewelry store are often intimidated, as they don’t know what they are looking at. We give as much information as customers want to take in, but the experience is all about making people happy.”
The full-service jewelry store started out as a small shop inside Midlothian’s Sycamore Square, but soon outgrew the space, relocating to a larger space in the same center.
Later, the jeweler opened a second location in nearby Chester, Virginia.
In 2013, the company bought an even larger space in nearby Commonwealth Centre and consolidated into one location.
Prior to Sprankle’s passing, Cheslock said they already were planning for retirement.
Though he will miss his customers, Cheslock said he’s ready for a new chapter in his life.
The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale, which will continue until everything is sold.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
