As a child, Gary spent hours observing the watchmakers’ precision work in his father’s jewelry store in Norfolk, VA, fascinated with the gears, the noise, and the activity. During his teen years, Gary developed an appreciation for the precious gemstones and metals that his father sold. Armed with years of art/design courses and a degree in communications from UNC-Chapel Hill, he went to work in the television industry for a few years. However, retail jewelry was obviously in his DNA, so Gary soon found his way back to jewelry in the early 1980s, working in the wholesale side with his brother. Gary found that he missed working with the public and in 1988, he decided to open a small retail store in High Point, NC.

As the clientele grew, so did their tastes and expectations. Gary expanded the physical space accordingly; and, in 1997, Simon Jewelers moved to its current home in the beautifully renovated village of shops at Time Square, at the corner of Main and Lexington in High Point.

Although the jewelry store is substantially larger, Gary’s work ethic remains the same, rooted in integrity with vigorous and innovative attention to detail. He has created a store where customer service is the focal point around which all else revolves – where merchandising is driven by quality and value – and where exquisite custom design work and outstanding repairs are available on-site.

Giving back to the community is how Gary and the Simon Jewelers’ team stay fulfilled, so a percentage of all sales is reinvested in the community through charitable donations and/or in-kind service and volunteer hours.