Johnston Jewelers A Good Catch

By Wanda Freeman

Fine jewelry meets flip-flops amid a casual coastal vibe at Johnston Jewelers in Florida’s Tampa Bay area. Behind a head-turning turquoise façade, a team of nine operates a busy shop that serves generational return customers and fishing tournaments alike.

Jan and Jeter Case, co-owners of JC Jewelers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are well aware how good they have it. The couple’s personal and professional lives have been intertwined since they became high school sweethearts. And, the good fortunes and earned breaks the two have experienced since then can only be described as blessings, so much so that the “JC” in the store name should denote divine intervention.

For starters, Jan and Jeter are locals. They grew up in Jackson Hole before the millionaires, and then the billionaires, decided to make the popular resort destina-

Although Johnston Jewelers recently celebrated its 50th year in Florida, the store has older roots. William “Bill” Johnston founded the business in New York in 1948. A WWII veteran, Johnston came home from the war and operated a watch-repair business tion a seasonal playground. When they’re not making sought-after custom jewelry designs the couple enjoys the incredible natural beauty of nearby Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. from his home until he developed a reputation and enough clientele to open a small storefront.

He moved to Florida in 1972. Today his son Doug is the lead bench jeweler, and grandson Grant works the floor.

Co-captains Laura Morgan and Ryan McMahon, described by McMahon as adopted members of the Johnston family, help steer the third-generation business.

And, their clientele ranges from locals they’ve known all their lives (and the repeat business and referrals that come with being neighbors) to wealthy elites that enjoy second homes there. All of JC Jewelers’ incredible jewelry retailing and custom design work happens in a tiny log cabin that’s 880 square feet in size.

Morgan, who has been with the store for nine years, says her family and in-laws have been close to the Johnstons for years.

Similar to many retail jewelers’ stories, Jan was looking for summer jobs as a teenager when

“My father-in-law took Doug all

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