Name recognition earns trust for The Woodlands jeweler

The Robichau family has been in the jewelry business in The Woodlands for 26 years, and over the course of that time, they have come to know the value of a trustworthy jeweler.

"Around this area you need to know a good mechanic, a good doctor and a good jeweler," said Matt Robichau, who runs the business with his brother, John. "You're dealing with heirlooms, sometimes the most important pieces that people own. Trust has always been the top virtue."

Robichau's Jewelry, a strictly family-run operation, was the very definition of a small mom-and-pop shop when it started in 1986. Matt's parents, Jack and Linda Robichau, had only 12 rings and a collection of waxes from which more could be cut when they began their business.

"I think there were around 3,000 people in The Woodlands area when we started up," John said. "It's really grown since then, and we've grown right along with it."

Over time Robichau's inventory has expanded to include watches, beads, diamond engagement rings, diamond earrings, several lines of sterling silver products — including Elle and Ti Sento — and various colored stone fashion pieces. In addition to selling and buying jewelry, the shop also offers repair and appraisal services, as well as custom jewelry design.

As far as business goes, their last two years have been their most successful, John said. He estimates around 50 customers come into their shop in the Panther Creek Village Center on a daily basis.

Matt and John attribute their success to positive name recognition, built up from reliable customer service over the years. The shop has four employees, all Robichaus. John and Matt have been with the shop for 10 and five years, respectively. Their sister, Shannon, joined the team six years ago, and their uncle, Ray, has been with Robichau's Jewelry for 24 years.

"People come in and they see the same people behind the counter every time," Matt said. "Everything is done in house, except watches. We're always honest with people, and our regulars have come to know us and trust us."

As a smaller shop, Matt said, there is less in terms of overhead costs to keep things running compared to big box jewelers. This allows Robichau's to offer more competitive prices, he said.

"Our name has pretty much spread all by word-of-mouth," John said. "Neighbors ask neighbors, friends tell friends. If you give good customer service, you'll be recommended when someone needs something done."

Although John said he would love to run Robichau's from its own free-standing building some day, the family is being careful not to grow too quickly. In the meantime, he said they will continue doing what they are doing. There are two things he guaranteed about the future of Robichau's Jewelry: they will never go corporate, and you will never see someone on the other side of the counter who is not a Robichau.

Robichau's Jewelry, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, 281-367-7807, www.robichausjewelry.com