Main Street jewelry business aims to preserve both city and store's history

Upon walking into Bermuda Gold and Silver on Main Street in Grapevine, guests are greeted with symbols of the business that came before it. Framed old photos line the walls, an old telephone hangs behind the counter and the words "Grapevine Home Bank" run across the balcony of the store.

Debi Meek, co-owner of Bermuda Gold and Silver, said the jewelry store turned 30 years old in August 2013, but the building tells an older story, which is written all over the walls.

Built in 1900, the building began as Grapevine National Bank before becoming what Meek said is the better-known Grapevine Home Bank, which is what she pays homage to throughout the store.

A tropical theme used to cover the walls of the original Bermuda Gold jewelry store, but a water heater mishap in 2007 gave Meek a chance to renovate. When insurance money came through, Meek said she was able to turn the store into a museum that honored Main Street Grapevine and Grapevine Home Bank.

A teller window from the bank still resides behind the jewelry display tables, and black-and-white framed photos line the walls, depicting downtown Grapevine throughout the early 1900s as well as the old bank.

"We love history, and we love historical preservation. It's what we do and who we are." Meek said. "We're here for the long haul to not only help [customers] but share our history as well."

Meek joined the staff as a manager at Bermuda Gold in 1992, and she bought the building with her husband, Mike, in 1998. In 2008, the couple bought the business and formed a new LLC, adding "And Silver" to the name to better capture the market, Debi said.

By owning the business rather than just working at it, Debi said she feels a deeper responsibility to the community.

"I feel like it's very important to give back and to let your customers see you out in the community and not just collecting money," said Meek, who is a member of several Grapevine organizations including the Historical Preservation Commission, Grapevine Rotary Club and Convention and Visitors Bureau advisory board.

The jewelry store has specialized in custom design for generations but also offers watch and jewelry repair as well as appraisal services, Meek said.

Because of the close proximity of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Meek said customers come from throughout the world, and when they ask about the pictures and timeless items, she shares the store's story.

"We believe in old-world integrity, and that's how we operate our business," Meek said. "We're dealing with customers' most treasured pieces of jewelry and treasured items, period. We feel like they know they can trust us."

Services

• Watch repair
• Jewelry repair
• Custom design
• Pearl re-stringing
• Appraisals
• Gold buying
• Custom engraving

Bermuda Gold and Silver

404 S. Main St., Grapevine, 817-481-5115, www.bermudagoldjewelry.com

Hours: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m