Back in November, Jewelry by Designs on Smoketown Road announced it was closing its doors and clearing its inventory.
Now, during a global pandemic, it has reopened under new ownership by the Nelson Coleman Company.
The Nelson Coleman Company is a family-run jewelry business and the owner of Nelson Coleman Jewelers in Baltimore. The company is headed by Amanda Coleman, its CEO, who also acts as Jewelry by Designs’ chief of sales and strategist. Coleman came into ownership of the store when approached by its former owner, Jenny Caro, who had overhead Coleman discussing opening a new store, and proposed that she purchase Jewelry by Designs.
“She [Caro] approached me […] and was like ‘we’re gonna have a going out of business sale, we’ve decided to close the store, and instead of you opening up another location would you be interested in buying our store?’ And so we kind of started the journey right then and there,” said Coleman.
After finalizing the purchase of the store in March, Coleman remodeled the interior.
“We did all new carpets, new paint, we did reconfigure some of the cases and created a seating area up front. And we redid the kid’s corner, we put a Play Station there,” said Coleman.
Along with the new decor and environment, Jewelry by Designs also received a revamp in its inventory. A third of the business done at Nelson Coleman Jewelers consists of estate and antique jewelry, and much of that collection was brought to Jewelry By Designs, as well as various pieces of bridal jewelry.
“…[estate and antique jewelry] is something I know [the old Jewelry By Designs] didn’t really have a lot of before,” said Coleman.
The global coronavirus pandemic has meant Coleman has not been able to bring back all the store’s employees. She’s had to change her original plans for grand opening and had to make a large investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) for her employees.
“We’re not suffering a hardship, but it’s definitely made us pivot and change how we were going to do things. Just writing our reopening plan has been different because there are guidelines and safety measures that were weren’t anticipating before,” said Coleman.
To ensure customer safety, the store has plexiglass shields on its cases and six-feet social distancing markers on the floor. There is additionally a disinfectant routine that is used on all jewelry and a sanitation schedule that is kept every 30 minutes to an hour.
Even with these restrictions and difficulties, however, Coleman still has plans to expand to more locations sometime in the future.
“While yes expansion is definitely in the plan, it’s kind of taking a backseat right now to see how things unfold with the pandemic,” said Coleman.
Jewelry By Designs is located at 2932 Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Recent Stories
Looking for a musical treat this January? St. George’s Episcopal Church in historic downtown Fredericksburg is hosting a free concert on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m., featuring local favorite Hazel Run.
This talented folk group, comprised of Linda LaFave, Karen Richardson, and Stuart Whitford, blends Americana, soul, and rock influences to create a sound you won’t want to miss. While the concert is free, donations are gratefully accepted at the door.
St. George’s is known for its beautiful music in a beautiful space, with a concert series that celebrates both local and visiting talent. You’re warmly invited to enjoy the music and experience the welcoming community at St. George’s.
Stafford County Public Schools announced that Nevaeh Lewis of Colonial Forge High School and Emma Siegmund of Rodney Thompson Middle School have been selected for prestigious roles in Virginia’s legislative programs. Lewis will serve as a House of Delegates Page, while Siegmund has been chosen as a Senate Page. These appointments provide hands-on opportunities to learn about government and leadership during the upcoming General Assembly session in Richmond beginning January 8.
Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith praised the students, stating that these roles will help develop leadership skills and inspire civic engagement. Both programs include working with legislators, participating in committee meetings, and engaging in civics and leadership education. Pages will also take part in mock legislative sessions and community service projects.
Siegmund, a high-achieving middle schooler with a 4.0+ GPA, is active in Model United Nations, the National Junior Honors Society, and other academic programs and is the daughter of county school board chair Maureen Siegmund. Lewis, a talented artist and performer, is also deeply involved in her church and community.
Stafford County offices, departments, and courts will open on a two-hour delay on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as the region recovers from the recent winter storm.
OmniRide has announced adjusted operations for Tuesday, January 7, in response to anticipated inclement weather conditions. Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) has also confirmed the suspension of all transit services…
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
