Duo behind Vintage Jewellers Limited takes a spirited approach to selling jewelry

“It really was a 15 to 20-minute conversation,” Camie explains. “Jo said ‘what about opening up our own place?’ and then we did.”

With many years of experience working in retail between the two, Camille (Camie) McMullin and Jovita (Jo) Hynes decided to start their own jewellery shop in Glace Bay on June 9^th of 2017. The business partners first crossed paths working for Goldsil Jewellers, which closed for good in April of 2017.

“When I started working, there were five jewellery stores in Glace Bay,” Camie notes. “Now there’s just one – us.”

Originally located in the Sterling Mall, Vintage Jewellers Limited now sits on Commercial Street, expanding from a 780 square foot space to a storefront spanning 1,900 square feet. Beyond jewellery, the shop also offers giftware, and locally made consignment items like candles from Memories Candle Co. and hats from Mary’s Yarn & Croch-eh. Customers can come in for jewellery and watch repairs as well. The latest addition is their Magberry Boutique, which offers women's clothing, unisex sweaters and t-shirts from brands like Salty DNA and The Ol’ Cape Bretoner.

“We listen to our customers and try to bring in what we can for them. We keep making cracks that we should have called the store Cheers. The next step is building a bar down back,” Jo jokes.

On the verge of opening their original location, Camie and Jo developed a business plan and took it to Coastal Business CBDC for a start-up loan. Upon moving into their current, much larger, location, they engaged with CBDC staff once again.

“It was excellent – they were really good,” Camie says. “Coastal Business CBDC were the only ones who believed we could actually do it – and we did!”

The most popular items at Vintage Jewellers these days tend to be collectibles, silver, traditional yellow gold jewellery and ornaments. Jo herself loves hoop earrings, gold and silver – especially with diamonds for that added sparkle, while Camie loves gold and diamonds but doesn’t wear costume jewellery – and that includes sterling silver! They carefully hand pick each piece of jewellery featured in their store.

What do Camie and Jo love most about running their own business?

“Everything!” they say in unison.