FOR 90 years Wisharts the Jewellers have provided Kerang and surrounding areas with a legacy of knowledge and service.
Renovations completed this month have now given the store a fresh look.
New display cases house the fine pieces that Wisharts have been known for close to a century after the store was opened by Len Wishart in 1932.
Store owner Melinda Clough said she understood the importance of continuing the Wisharts legacy.
“The Wishart name has been synonymous with fine jewellery and sound advice for so long,” she said.
“We’re proud to keep such a long-lasting business operating in Kerang.
“The Wishart family have left a legacy, not unlike the Adams, Laughlin and Hawthorne families.
“We are just lucky enough to be able to keep that small part of Kerang history alive.”
Ms Clough has owned the store with her mother Julie for about five years, but the pair have a combined 68 years of jewellery experience.
But Ms Clough says that even with all that experience, they still don’t know what to expect each day.
“After being in this jewellery business for 23 years, alongside Mum, who has over 45 years of experience, you would think that you know what every day is going to be like. But that truly is not the case.
“The mix of repairs and retail sales keeps things a bit different every day.
“Sometimes it’s serving a nervous teenager for a deb present or an older gent who buys his wife something every birthday.
“It’s truly amazing the small role that Wisharts the Jewellers have played in so many of our local people’s most important moments.”
Ms Clough said being a local business didn’t stop Wisharts from impressing people from out of town.
“We know our local customers quite well and cater for their needs, but you would be surprised how many people shop from out of town.
“As a small business in a small town, we often think of us being a Kerang business, but that’s not the case.
“It’s just nice to see people that we don’t recognise as locals and help them out with their jewellery needs.”
Ms Clough said she was pleased with the makeover.
“Unfortunately, our renovations have been brought forward by a break in.
“This was quite upsetting, but we decided that it was just time to keep moving forward.
“While we are happy with the results, we are more pleased the way that our new display cases and decor has been received by our customers.”
Ms Clough said she was excited about seeing more customers enter the store to check out the new interior.
“Customers should definitely come in and look around our new layout,” she said.
“We have a great range for all occasions and try to keep something that you won’t find in the large-chain jewellery stores.
“Having the buying power of Showcase Jewellers allows us to cater for your needs, if we don’t have it, we will get it.”
