The History of Kimpel's Jewelry & Gifts

Serving you with Friendship, Understanding, and Knowledge Since 1957

July 5^th, 1957 was the grand opening day for the new store, co-founded by the Kimpel brothers, Jack and Bill.  Jack was the watchmaker, Bill the jewelry repairman.  Both brothers, with the aid of their wives, served the public with quality products and service from their modest storefront in the new up-town plaza in the quaint village of Columbiana, Ohio.  The brothers grew up in Ellwood City, a mill town in western Pennsylvania.  Their father had founded a successful jewelry store in Ellwood City, a store that is still operated by Bob, the youngest of the three Kimpel sons. Jack and Bill, however, desired to make their own path toward success and they set out to find a new area to open their own store. 

Since that summer day in 1957 we have unlocked our front door over 13,000 times.  We have turned on the lights, fired up the steam cleaner, and greeted customers with a warm hello and quality service.  Over the years many of our customers have become our friends and we are now selling engagement rings to the grandchildren of those first customers.  When you look at the years you could label them as “history”, but we prefer to use the term: “a job well done”.   As we look at our original accounting ledgers we often smile and wonder how the two brothers and their families survived on so little.  But those of us who stand in the present look back with honor at the integrity, dedication, and hard work that Jack and Bill poured into the store for decades.

Jack and Bill were men who desired to present the best to their customers.  Their motto, Serving you with Friendship, Understanding, and Knowledge, became a tangible reflection of their desire, personality, and training.  By 1963 the store had earned membership into the American Gem Society, a membership which is still maintained.

Jack is currently retired.  Bill (Bill Sr.) sold the store to his son, William R. Kimpel (Bill Jr.) in 1995, but he still remains a valued member of the current staff.  The store has become a tremendous success with a large staff of dedicated employees.  But we strive to maintain the adage that, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”.  We are bigger than the modest 1957 beginnings.  We are more profitable and offer many more services and products than were offered in 1957.  We are more than merely  the “local jeweler”; we are more global with a loyal customer base that spans dozens of states. We are, however, proud that our service, dedication, and attitudes still reflect the motto of Serving you with Friendship, Understanding, and Knowledge.

We are proud of our history and the people who have walked out the daily routines that have made up “our history”, but we are just as proud of Kimpel’s Jewelry & Gifts in the present.  We realize that we are adding to our “history” on a daily basis and we pledge to earn your confidence and respect with each opportunity we have to serve you.