Laura Robinson, M&M Jewelers

Laura Robinson said her favorite part of her work at M&M Jewelers is getting to help people make pieces they might have never thought possible.

“I love designing new pieces and introducing somebody to an idea that they weren’t even aware that they could do or add to their old piece of jewelry,” she said.

Sometimes that means taking a widow’s wedding rings and turning them into a new piece she can wear after she gets remarried.

“We can put stackable bands around it to give it a whole different twist so she can wear it on her right hand, or make it into a new piece altogether,” said Robinson, sole owner of M&M Jewelers and a graduate gemologist with more than 30 years of experience.

She also makes items for people who have lost beloved pets, taking their photos and turning them into charms for a charm bracelet.

“We want to take care of our customers and develop long-standing friendships,” Robinson said. “We love to be there for them in all of their life events like engagements, birthdays and anniversaries.”

That’s one of the benefits of shopping local, she said — you get to know the faces who help you with your important pieces of jewelry.

Not only that, local businesses can match or even beat the prices of the big chain stores, Robinson said.

“And we do a lot of extra things for our customers and really know our products. It’s about making sure you’re happy — that’s our best advertisement.”

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