MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
IndependentsMay 21, 2019
A Jewelry Store That Opened in 1832 Is Closing
Cornwell Jewelers is located in Athens, a small town in southeast Ohio that’s home to Ohio University.
Cornwell Jewelers is located on Court Street in Athens, Ohio, home to Ohio University. It will close this summer after 187 years in business. Pictured above is a 1967 Cadillac the Cornwell family bought in 2007 and painted purple to attract customers.
Athens, Ohio—As a kid, Kris Cornwell liked getting jewelry as a gift but didn’t frequent her family’s Athens, Ohio jewelry store, save for some afternoons spent eating pizza in the back of the shop.
She and her sister would “go uptown”—local vernacular for visiting the town’s main drag, Court Street—to shop and catch a matinee before popping into her grandfather’s store with a slice.
Cornwell said she never really considered jewelry as a career, staying local to go to college—she earned a bachelor’s and a master’s from Ohio University, the heartbeat of this small southeast Ohio town—and majoring in education.
But when she completed her master’s in 1994, there came a request: Her mom, Connie Cornwell, asked her to put in a few months at the jewelry store that her family still owned but, at that time, employed no family members.
Cornwell initially said no but eventually relented.
“Probably, I’m a people-pleaser,” she allows. “They asked me and it’s hard to say ‘no’ to your parents when they’ve done so much for you.”
She started working at Cornwell Jewelers in August 1994, learning under the longtime manager until October, when that longtime manager suddenly quit and “really left me kind of holding the bag,” Cornwell said.
She wasn’t going to walk out on a business that, at that point in time, had been in her family for 150-plus years. So she stayed, eventually earning her registered jeweler (RJ) certification from the American Gem Society and attending more than a half-dozen Conclave events in order to learn about the business.
She called the knowledge gained at those annual events a “pivotal part” of her career, a career that was supposed to last about six months but has spanned 25 years.
John Cornwell opened Cornwell Jewelers in 1832, one year after he arrived in Athens to go to college. (Ohio University was founded in 1804 and is the oldest college in Ohio.)
It celebrates its 187th birthday this year and bills itself as the country’s second-oldest family-owned jewelry store.
Kris Cornwell represents the sixth generation involved in the operation of the store, and moved it from South Court Street to its current location, 77 N. Court St., in 2002. The building, she said, dates to the early 1900s and originally was a Pure Oil gas station.
Cornwell was adamant about keeping the store on Court Street, which is lined with college book stores, restaurants and more than its fair share of bars, but chose to move it to a freestanding building that included a parking lot.
Seventeen years later, she knows she needs to move again to survive but just doesn’t want to start all over again, for what she described as a “perfect storm” of reasons.
She and her sister would “go uptown”—local vernacular for visiting the town’s main drag, Court Street—to shop and catch a matinee before popping into her grandfather’s store with a slice.
Cornwell said she never really considered jewelry as a career, staying local to go to college—she earned a bachelor’s and a master’s from Ohio University, the heartbeat of this small southeast Ohio town—and majoring in education.
But when she completed her master’s in 1994, there came a request: Her mom, Connie Cornwell, asked her to put in a few months at the jewelry store that her family still owned but, at that time, employed no family members.
Cornwell initially said no but eventually relented.
“Probably, I’m a people-pleaser,” she allows. “They asked me and it’s hard to say ‘no’ to your parents when they’ve done so much for you.”
She started working at Cornwell Jewelers in August 1994, learning under the longtime manager until October, when that longtime manager suddenly quit and “really left me kind of holding the bag,” Cornwell said.
She wasn’t going to walk out on a business that, at that point in time, had been in her family for 150-plus years. So she stayed, eventually earning her registered jeweler (RJ) certification from the American Gem Society and attending more than a half-dozen Conclave events in order to learn about the business.
She called the knowledge gained at those annual events a “pivotal part” of her career, a career that was supposed to last about six months but has spanned 25 years.
John Cornwell opened Cornwell Jewelers in 1832, one year after he arrived in Athens to go to college. (Ohio University was founded in 1804 and is the oldest college in Ohio.)
It celebrates its 187th birthday this year and bills itself as the country’s second-oldest family-owned jewelry store.
Kris Cornwell represents the sixth generation involved in the operation of the store, and moved it from South Court Street to its current location, 77 N. Court St., in 2002. The building, she said, dates to the early 1900s and originally was a Pure Oil gas station.
Cornwell was adamant about keeping the store on Court Street, which is lined with college book stores, restaurants and more than its fair share of bars, but chose to move it to a freestanding building that included a parking lot.
Seventeen years later, she knows she needs to move again to survive but just doesn’t want to start all over again, for what she described as a “perfect storm” of reasons.
Kris Cornwell in her jewelry store with daughters Ava (left) and HaydenFirst, the business has changed.
There is competition from online sellers, which, Cornwell says, has her working harder than ever to stay on top of things and has cut into the business the store does with OU’s 23,000 undergrads.
There also has been a shift in the brick-and-mortar makeup of Court Street.
Many retail shops that cater to local residents (meaning non-students) have closed or moved to other parts of Athens as the main drag has become more student-centric, and more congested when school is in session. “Coming to Court Street is much more of a challenge than it used to be,” she said.
She knows she would have to move her store off Court Street, where it has been since its founding, to continue but just can’t picture the store anywhere else.
Secondly, three of the five daughters she and her husband have combined are getting ready to leave Athens, which made her reconsider her future, particularly in terms of time and stress.
She also suffered two personal losses last summer that took a toll.
In August, longtime employee Eric Coon, who retired from the store a couple years ago, died suddenly of a heart attack. The following day, she lost her brother-in-law to cancer.
“I love my store but I’ve come to a crossroads and have had to make a really hard decision. I still get upset when customers are sad—it makes me sad,” Cornwell said, her voice breaking. “But I know it’s right and I know I don’t have it in me to move and open another location.
“I don’t want to start again.”
The going-out-of-business sale at Cornwell Jewelers began in late April with postcards mailed to VIP customers to let them know the store would be shutting down.
Cornwell said it will continue through mid-summer or until all the merchandise is sold.
More on Independents
The Latest
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
