When Ben and Jen Waddington met each other at a party in Bowling Green they had career goals and high expectations for their future. They didn’t envision that they would own and operate the town’s biggest jewelry store shortly after graduation.
Ben, a 2004 graduate of the University earned his BFA in digital arts, had no experience in the jewelry business. However, when Jen’s former employer, Howard Jewelers on Main Street, told the couple they were selling their jewelry business, they jumped at the opportunity and started Waddington Jewelers and Engraving.
“I guess we were in the right place at the right time,” Ben said. “We didn’t want to pass up the opportunity.”
Jen, a graduate jeweler from the Gemological Institute of America, who was pursuing a career in jewelry, was planning on opening a small engraving and repair shop in southern Ohio when she was told that the shop she worked for was going up for sale. Upon hearing the news the couple planned on buying some of the equipment from the old business, however, when they were given a price to buy the whole shop, they purchased the entire business.
The couple now has high hopes of transforming the historically higher priced jewelry store into something more affordable for everybody.
“We try to have things that appeal a little more to the college aged kids,” Jen said. “We are trying to get things that are a little more age appropriate for our location.”
With new lines of less expensive fashion jewelry and watches, coupled with younger ownership, Waddington is starting to see more college aged customers.
“We’re trying to appeal a lot more to the college kids and that’s kind of hard too, because the former store had nothing under $200,” added Ben. “Once they do get in here they realize it’s not an uptight, typical jewelry store. You know, we’re college kids, we want them to come in.”
After opening up the business in February, just a few months after their college graduations, the young couple is now preparing for the busiest part of the jewelry season. However, the two believe that they’re more than ready and capable of handling the extra business.
By offering jewelry that ranges from less than $100 to several thousands of dollars, they believe their store has something for everybody. With over 14 full cases of jewelry, the store offers a variety of diamond rings, sterling silver, picture frames and engraved gifts.
“We have the high end, but we also understand that people can’t afford it, so we carry a broad spectrum. So far the reception has been great,” Ben said. “Everyone says that the atmosphere is a lot more lively and upbeat than the former store and most jewelry store. We just want to get people to come in.”
Located on Main Street next to Panera Bread, Waddington Jewelers and Engraving is open Tuesday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
