Piette Jewelers: Business Is Booming After Move to Bellingham
May 27, 2021 06:00AM ● By David Dunbar
The Piette family (shown L-R: Ross, Jen, Ryan, Rita, and Roland), masked as then required, in the showroom of their new store in Dean Bank Plaza, Bellingham.
Sixty-seven years ago last month, Roland Sr. and Annette Piette opened a jewelry store on Main Street in downtown Woonsocket. That was back when gasoline was 21cents per gallon, “Father Knows Best” was on TV, and Elvis Presley cut his first commercial record.
But back to custom orders. Ross recalled a grieving widow who contacted the store after her husband passed away, followed soon after by the death of her son from COVID, who wanted a “remembrance” piece of jewelry. Ross worked tirelessly and constructed a unique ring including the birthstones of her late husband and son, “on the wings of an angel.”
Visit www.piettejewelers.com for more information. Because of COVID, occupancy of the store is limited, and it is best to make a reservation by calling (508) 876-0010. The store is located at 429 Pulaski Blvd. in Bellingham.
Fast forward to March of this year, when Piette Jewelers left Woonsocket and moved to Bellingham. “There were about a dozen jewelry stores in Woonsocket in 1954,” recalled Roland Jr., “and we were the last one to leave.”
Piette Jewelers is now located on Pulaski Boulevard, in the Dean Bank Plaza. “We’re family-owned and family-run; and when you come into our store, you are treated like family,” said Ross, son of Roland and among the third generation of Piettes.
The store is known for professional jewelry repairs, custom resets, appraisals, engraving, and a selection of the most interesting jewelry and gifts from around the world. Ryan, another son, noted, “We get lots of custom-order requests, including making a piece from scratch.” Roland added, “Diamonds, in many forms, are probably our best-selling item.”
“Quality and service always come first,” said Roland.
“Warm and inviting, not intimidating,” is how Ross described customer reactions to the store. His wife, Jen, described him as “a friend, not a salesman.”
Jen oversees outreach on social media, and she reports recently receiving an award from The Knot Wedding website. “It’s the ‘Best of Knot’ award for jewelry vendors based on five-star reviews, and we’re very excited,” she said.
“A great big thank-you to Piette Jewelers for the repair on the clasp of my jade bracelet. You worked a miracle,” wrote Facebook poster Suzanne. In May of last year, Melissa posted, “I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to truly express how thankful I am for my wedding ring that you guys made for me. It is truly spectacular--one of a kind-- and it’s perfect for me.”
Roland’s wife, Rita, first met him at the original store, where she was hired as an assistant. “We’ve worked with the kids since they were very young,” noted Rita, “and we’re incredibly happy to see them doing their own thing now, like we did, and being successful.”
Now, about the move from Woonsocket to Bellingham. “The boys [Ross and Ryan] felt that to ensure future success and growth of the business, we needed to make a move,” recalled Roland. So, they searched in neighboring towns in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and finally settled on Bellingham, where Ross and Jen have lived for 10 years. Said Ross, “The move to Bellingham has been beneficial; we’re booming again!”
written by Dave Dunbar, Contributing Writer
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