Clyde Wilcox is no stranger to the finer things in life, and his passion for the jewelry business proves just that.
Wilcox is the general manager at Valentino’s Fine Jewelers, which celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. The high-end store first opened in Zephyrhills, and recently has relocated to Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. The family owned, local business is the product of decades of dedication to the fine jewelry industry.
“Our store is not your typical jewelry store, from the way we look, to how we treat our customers, to the product we carry; we try to be different all the time,” said Wilcox.
Keeping the theme of doing things differently, its upcoming Black Friday celebration will be one to remember. The first 100 visitors to Valentino’s between Nov. 26 to Nov. 28 can shuck their own oyster, with a guaranteed pearl inside. There will be plenty of weekend discounts throughout the store for customers to best accessorize the color of their newfound gem.
Before Valentino’s, Wilcox worked for Ultra Diamonds, where he improved the store’s sales by 150% in his first year. It wasn’t long before Wilcox felt confined in the corporate world and opened his own store.
“He did it all by himself,” said Madonna Wilcox, Clyde’s wife and office manager for Valentino’s.
Valentino’s offers a wide variety of jewelry. The showroom keeps things fresh by often showcasing unusual and unique items, instead of replacing the same stock as soon as it sells.
“We want new and different, always,” said Madonna Wilcox.
Prioritizing the individuality of the customer is important to their store.
“You live on your reputation, so we want to make sure ours is very good,” said Clyde Wilcox.
Valentino’s also offers a range of other services from battery changes to jewelry repairs, mostly done at the hands of their master jeweler Edwin Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a third-generation jeweler, a scarce craft he learned from his father, and has 30 years of experience doing custom work. With his help, what may take two weeks for a simple repair at a chain store, Valentino’s can get done while you shop at the mall.
“Anything you throw in front of him, if there’s no way to do it, he will find a way,” said Brian Miller, son and store manager.
With husband, wife and son all working together, Valentino’s gives their guests the “at home” experience that can be hard to find at large retailers.
“It’s not a chain, it’s an extension of our family,” said Clyde.
For information, call 813-949-9800, or visit them at 2100 Grand Cypress Drive, Suite 150, Lutz, FL 33559.
Published November 10, 2021
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