Stones Jewelers Celebrates 100 Years in Wheaton

On Saturday Wheaton is partying like it’s 1911.

No, really, like it’s 1911.

Stones Jewelry, 107 W. Front St., is celebrating 100 years in business, a milestone to be sure.

“We’re going to have a really good time celebrating being in business that long,” said store manager Steve Woodyard.

Saturday’s centennial celebration started out business as usual, with the store open for business. But come 2:30 pm the store closed for the day, and the celebration commenced.

“We are so thankful we’ve been in business as long as we have, we just want to do something to show our thanks and gratitude,” said owner Dave Petti.

That thanks includes a carnival with lots of food sold at 1911 prices. Petti said people can expect to purchase hot dogs for pennies.

“Everything will be sold at 1911 prices and all the proceeds will be donated to the Milton Township Food Bank,” he said.

In addition to carnival rides and food, Petti said a barbershop quartet and a ragtime band will perform. Prizes are being offered, including fine jewelry. Stones Jewelry employees are wearing 1911 clothing, including Petti himself who is decked out in a 1911 bathing suit during his turn in the dunking booth. The store is also awarding $1,000 arts scholarships to the area high schools.

Stones Jewelry was opened by Charles Stone in 1911. While the business has not always been in the same storefront, it’s always operated within the same block, Petti said Friday afternoon. Over its 100-year-history the company has had four owners. Stone operated the business until he sold it to his son-in-law Emil Shebick, who in turn sold it to Jason Johnson in 1972. The day Johnson purchased the jewelry store, tragedy struck in the form of a fire. But, undeterred and with the generosity of a neighboring property owner, Johnson quickly re-opened his business in an available storefront. Petti, who is Johnson’s son-in-law, took over the business and continues to run it today.

“It’s a God thing. We’ve been blessed to be in business so long,” said Woodyard, who has managed the store for the past three years.

Woodyard, who worked as a jewelry wholesaler, said he knew the Petti family for many years before coming to work for them. When the opportunity came, he jumped at the chance.

“It’s a great place to work,” Woodyard said.

During its 100 year history, Stones Jewelry has seen the rise of new business technologies, but one thing that has not changed in all that time is the emphasis on customer service. Petti said customer service is their top priority, which makes it a good place for customers and for employees.

“We pride ourselves on providing old fashioned customer service. We stand behind our products and our work,” Petti said.

Petti said all four owners of the jewelry store maintained a similar customer service philosophy. He credits that continuity with the strong customer loyalty he’s seen over the past 40 years.

“We don’t do a lot of advertising. Most of our business comes from word of mouth. I’m now selling engagement rings to the children of people I sold engagement rings to 25 or 30 years ago,” Petti said.

During his time as proprietor Petti said he’s seen changes to the downtown Wheaton business district that now includes more restaurants.

“This has been a great place to do business. It’s a great town with great people. I have to pinch myself sometimes… I just feel very blessed,” Petti said.