Jewelers Trade Shop, Corbett Davis III, Pensacola

At David Gibson’s suggestion, I reached out to Corbett Davis, III, the third-generation owner, CEO, and President of Jewelers Trade Shop on Palafox Street in Pensacola. It’s a beautiful store with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. As I waited for Corbett to finish his conversation with a customer, I perused the cases of beautiful watches, gemstones, and gold and silver jewelry.

When the gentleman speaking with Corbett left, I could tell that they had a longtime relationship and that he confidently relied on Corbett’s advice. Corbett showed me around and then we went into his office to talk about the family business that began with his grandfather, Corbett, Sr. 

“Originally, he only did wholesale work for other jewelers. He was not a retailer but he designed jewelry, did stone setting, and repair work from a little office. That is where our name comes from. A business that does work for other jewelers is known as a “trade shop”.

The business eventually evolved into retail when Corbett’s father joined the business, but they kept the repair and custom design in-house. Today, Jewelers Trade Shop has three GIA gemologists in the store including Corbett and his wife, Sarah. “She’s the most important person here.”  They are also the only authorized Rolex dealer in the area and have an authorized Rolex Service Center, one of only a few in the United States.

“We have two certified Rolex watchmakers that must follow very specific protocols and regularly update the processes. Once we complete a service, that timepiece comes with the exact same two-year international warranty as if it was serviced at the Rolex factory. We are extremely proud to be able to offer this service to our customers.”

As we get into our conversation, I learn that we both went to the University of Alabama and were members of the same fraternity there. I worked for the Culverhouse College of Commerce when Corbett was a student. This led to a discussion about a certain business management professor, Lonnie Strickland, whose textbook is still in use around the world today. 

Lonnie was known for his last GBA 490 course when he asked his students to invite anyone they wanted to hear his final lecture. The message was that graduates were about to get the biggest pay raise of their lives as they entered the workforce. “Instead of rushing out to get a new car, keep driving your grandmother’s old car for three years while you establish credit and save your money.” This was sage advice for those who followed it.

The result would enable you to grow your net worth substantially in a relatively short period. Corbett says he took this to heart and it worked for him. He drove his grandfather’s old car. He tells me his grandfather had given him a book, The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason, which highlighted many of the same principles that Lonnie Strickland touted, and he rereads it every year. “It’s simple but practical, things that apply to everyday life.”

Corbett’s family was originally from Mobile and his grandfather, who attended McGill High School, moved to Pensacola in the 1940s. Corbett started working in the store at age 15, sizing rings, engraving, and doing minor repair work. “I learned the ins and outs of how to do things to run a successful jewelry store.” After graduating from Alabama with a business management degree, he returned to Pensacola to work full-time. 

“I knew I was going to work in the jewelry business, so I set out to learn everything I could.” He went to the Gemological Institute of America to become a certified gemologist. “I learned everything there is to know about gemstones, diamonds, jewelry, and their history.” He’s now been with the company for over 25 years. He says his father retired four years ago and he credits him for taking Jewelers Trade Shop to a new level of excellence.

“He gave me a long leash to try new things, some worked and some didn’t, but he trusted me and that gave me a lot of confidence.” He goes on, “We have a great relationship. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the freedom that he allowed.” 

I first heard about Jewelers Trade Shop because they carry a unique item, pink conch pearls. Somehow this was tied to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Resort on Pensacola Beach. Corbett tells me that pink pearls occur naturally and are found in conch meat when they are being cleaned. “It’s not like cultured pearls that are raised on farms. These are a bi-product from  harvesting wild-caught conchs, and are extremely rare.” He showed me a couple they had on hand and they are indeed interesting and beautiful!

Corbett tells me they focus on unique high-quality pieces. With four master jewelers on hand, their biggest volume is for diamond engagement rings and custom work. “The jewelry and watch brands we carry are of the highest quality and are the most respected in the world.” They have a large inventory which includes Rolex, David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Tudor, and Tag Heuer, among other specialty brands. They carry collectibles and sell some estate jewelry. “If it’s interesting, rare, unique, and of a  vintage period, we are interested,” 

He goes on to say, “One of my main goals is to create a comfortable environment where everyone feels welcome. That starts with the culture of the organization. If our employees aren’t happy, customers can feel it. They can tell if someone is being pushy or insincere and there is no place for that at JTS.  

Our employees understand that our customers are everything to us but without happy and knowledgeable employees, we would be nothing. Taking care of my employees has, and always will be, one of my top priorities. They are the ones on the front lines. They are the backbone of the business.”

Apparently, it’s working. He tells me they have four employees who live in Daphne and Fairhope and an equal number who live in the Destin area. This leads us to a discussion about the revitalization of downtown Pensacola, and Quint Studer. “I’ve read all his books and we’ve served together on some community boards.” 

“When I started in 1998, during the holidays, if it was 7 PM at night and we wanted something to eat, there was nothing on Palafox Street. Today, it will blow your mind. It’s almost standing room only. It didn’t happen by accident. It took a lot of vision and investment and hard work.” He credits the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) with transforming the area.

“With all the investment, along with all the wonderful things to do in Pensacola, the waterfront, the city’s history, the diverse shopping, and the great restaurants, this is a happening place.” He mentions Gallery Night each month, Fiesta, Mardi Gras and so many other events and attractions that make Pensacola a great place to live and vacation.

Corbett tells me he and Sarah enjoy being involved in the community. He highlights their interest in supporting the Baptist Hospital’s new campus, ARC Gateway, the Pensacola Symphony and Opera, and the Manna Food Bank, to name a few. “We are blessed to be able to live in a growing community and support these vital organizations. It's positive all the way around.”

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Corbett. He introduced me to several employees and took me into one of the watch repair offices and explained what was happening. I was impressed! He tells me they have loyal customers from all over the nation who vacation in Pensacola and stop by to shop. 

“We strive to become our customers’ go-to place to shop and call us whenever they are looking for something unique, need anything that’s been handed down restyled, or any watches or jewelry repaired.” I can see why after three generations, Jewelers Trade Shop is firmly entrenched as the place to go. Thanks, Corbett, that was fun!  

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