King Jewelers staying in the ‘loupe’ since 1912

By Wanda Freeman

As the fifth generation takes the helm at King Jewelers, the family business embraces change with a veritable Midas touch - an instinct that has guided its successes since 1912.

King’s latest news: The flagship Aventura, Florida store, open since 2003, closed with a monthlong sentimental farewell sale in February; the Nashville, Tennessee store, opened in 2008, is the new flagship; and the Kings will maintain a South Florida presence via a business office and appointment-based concierge jewelry salon in Boca Raton. By the end of the year, the Kings expect to open an IWC Schaffhausen boutique in Nashville.

Although fourth-generation jewelers Scott and Maxine King announced their retirement recently, Maxine continues to travel between home and Nashville as the company’s head jewelry buyer while Scott has eased into a retired life. Son David manages and operates the Nashville store as well as leading the business development, and son Jono oversees the high-end watch division and South Florida’s clientele through the Boca Raton office.

“A couple of months ago,” Jono says, “we were all sitting down as a family talking, and the conversation turned to business, as it was time to decide whether to extend our lease in Aventura or for my father to retire.”