Ever had to keep a secret? Imagine keeping one from your entire community. Not that Scott Stambaugh minds; after all, as President of Stambaugh Jewelers, he’s been doing it for more than 30 years and his family for nearly 80 years. When that secret guards the surprise moment, a couple begins a whole new life together; keeping that information under lock and key comes with a sense of pride and an even greater sense of connection to the community.
A Constructive Origin
Stambaugh Jewelers was founded in 1948 by Scott’s grandfather, Troy Stambaugh. Originally managing a hardware store in Covington, KY, Troy was asked by its owners to manage their newly purchased jewelry store in Defiance, Ohio.
“My grandfather just fell in love with the jewelry business,” Scott said, adding Troy’s newfound love for jewelry led him to open his own shop on Saturday, Nov. 6, 1948, on Clinton Street in Downtown Defiance. Stambaugh Jewelers occupied its original space at 512 Clinton St. from 1948-1980, when the store acquired the building next door. Decades later, the Stambaughs re-purchased the original storefront and expanded its footprint, which it occupies today.
Troy retired in 1991, handing the reins to his son and Scott’s father, David Stambaugh. Two years later, Scott joined the family business working with his dad, but David’s unexpected passing in 1995 led Scott to take over the business.
Generational Keepsakes
Now serving Defiance and surrounding communities for more than 78 years, Stambaugh Jewelers offers artisan jewelry services from Bench Jeweler Doug Franzdorf — a 41-year employee of the shop and described “master of all” by Scott — and repair services by Mark Simonis, plus a wide retail selection of jewelry for men and women alike, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and one of the business’s biggest drivers, engagement rings and wedding bands. Here, Scott explained, is where Stambaugh Jewelers has an opportunity to turn young couples into lifelong customers.
“For an independent, retail jewelry store, that’s when you often meet your first customer,” Scott said. “They can become a lifetime customer if you treat them right if you do everything you should be doing as a retailer as well as getting to know them as a friend.”
Then, as life goes on, Stambaugh Jewelers remains a constant in the lives of its customers. “Jewelry buying goes in phases,” Scott explained. “You start by getting engaged, then you go through life, have children, and your money needs to be spent elsewhere, but at some point — whether the kids leave the house or have a little more disposable income — you can treat yourself. This is a luxury item; nothing we sell is something you must have, but you want to have it. There are different buying cycles for jewelry, but the starting point for most men and women is engagement.”
Of course, privacy is paramount with such purchases, Scott said, adding the staff knows never to ask about a customer’s purchase — whether it’s an engagement ring or a necklace — until they see the recipient wearing it. “We have our own sort of HIPAA, so to speak; if Joe comes in and buys a necklace, you never say anything until you see it on Joe’s wife’s neck. In a small community, you have no idea who’s related to who. The person standing in front of you could be someone’s niece. Nothing is ever said about anything purchased here until the exchange is completed. You never let someone know someone else has been shopping for a ring and then blow a surprise engagement.”
Scott noted that the most desired or popular types of gifts, styles, and fashions come and go in cycles. Watches, for example, have become more popular for men after years of boys and young men simply depending on their phones as timepieces. “I still get customers who come in and say, ‘I bet no one wears a watch anymore.’ But after the Apple Watch came out, suddenly everyone wanted to wear a watch.”
Scott said he also noticed certain trends that almost seem to circle back after a generation. “For several years, the engagement ring case was all white gold,” Scott said. “Then it flipped and went back to yellow. I think, generally, girls don’t want what their mom had — they want what Grandma had. It’s a cycle that way.”
Jewelry styles aren’t the only generational aspect of selling jewelry. Reflecting on years of service to Defiance and surrounding communities, Scott said he’s proud to have provided outstanding service to his customers — and their children. In doing so, Scott said, Stambaugh Jewelers has established itself as a destination where customers can walk in knowing they can relate to someone inside.
“You sell someone an engagement ring, then find out they’re expecting, then you find out the child has graduated college,” Scott said. “How quickly time flies. Now, we’re selling to a second generation. ‘You sold my mom and dad an engagement ring, and now I want to buy an engagement ring from you.’ That’s the legacy we like that it’s a nice, quality piece. It means something when it comes from Stambaugh Jewelers.”
