Boris Shapiro could write the book on self-sufficiency – if he weren’t so busy doing
absolutely everything that needs done at Arts Jewelers, his shop at 6114 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, a block east of Lander Road.
He does the bookkeeping, manages inventory, keeps the shop clean, repairs jewelry
and watches, and creates special-order jewelry in silver and gold. And he’s the shop’s
only salesperson, a position that involves buying scrap silver and gold and estate jewelry.
“Other employees would drive up the cost of merchandise,” Shapiro said. “You can buy a diamond for 10 times less here than at a franchise jeweler at the mall.”
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Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Shapiro came to the U.S. with his parents 33 years ago
because of the lack of opportunity. “We worked in watch and jewelry repair, but there was no opportunity to have your own place,” he said.
They arrived in Cleveland with nothing.
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“It was impossible to get out of Russia and bring anything with you.”
In 10 years they had the means to open their own jewelry shop. “This was the land of opportunity and it paid off,” he said.
The shop was at the Colonial Arcade 20 years before construction forced its move 10
years ago. The Mayfield Road location was an easy choice. He and his wife and parents live nearby.
“Now I can practically walk to work,” he said.
Shapiro became the sole operator when his parents retired six or seven years ago.
Since then, he said, “the face of the jewelry business has changed. Most is done through the Internet on Craigslist. It’s very efficient and cheap – free.”
But you can still find him happily minding the store from noon to 5 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, and by appointment.