In the Neighborhood

Nassau Jewelry Company

Rick and Nadine

BY MANDY HAYNES PHOTO BY SHERRY CARTER

Rick and Nadine Nichols of Nassau Jewelry Company have forty-seven years of experience in the jewelry business between the two of them. Established in 2005, Nassau Jewelry Company is one of the favorite places for Amelia Island locals to shop for beautiful gifts. “We love our customers, and we love to make them smile,” says Rick.

Th e store is a treasure chest full of stunning estate pieces, local artisan’s unique work, and exquisite jewelry that includes pieces from collections all over the world. Their designers include Alamea from Honolulu, Kovel Jewelry, Twinkles featuring flickering Rhinestones, Phillip Gavriel New York, Diamond Bands by Nasbro, Shula New York, Estate Jewelry Collection, and Amelia Island Jewelry.

Rick and Nadine also create beautiful custom pieces themselves and offer first rate repair work on-site, from laser welding and pearl stringing to watch repairs and engraving. “When we’re not working at the shop, we love to take our dog hiking at Fort Clinch.” If you’ve visited Nassau Jewelry, you’ve probably met Beauregard, better known as Bo.

“Bo is a one-and-a-half year old Mountain Cur Hound Dog we rescued from Nassau Humane Society,” says Rick with a laugh. “He is our official store mascot and the main reason many of our customers come by. He greets everyone with smile and wagging tail. Occasionally, he works as a paper shredder.” Nassau Jewelry Company is located at 1743 So. 8th Street. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call (904) 277-1993.

Shoe Visions

Ron and Montez Jacobson

Ron and Montez Jacobson, the owners of Shoe Visions, moved to Amelia Island from Georgia twenty-two years ago. “We fell in love with Amelia and decided this would be the perfect spot,” says Ron. “We love the people—everybody is so friendly.”

Shoe Visions is Amelia Island’s premier luxury footwear retailer. Eileen Fisher, Softwaves, Eric Michael, Naot, and Gabor are just an example of the brands they carry. With close to forty years of shoe experience, which includes traveling to shoe factories in Italy and Spain, they are confident when they say they offer the best footwear available.

“We have brands and styles that you probably won’t see other places, and we’re constantly looking for the next great shoe,” says Ron. “If we can’t get the shoe you’re looking for, we’ll tell you where you can fi nd it. It’s a thrill to search the world for the next great shoe.”

Ron started selling shoes as a teen at his grandfather’s store in Waycross, Georgia, and it has been his passion ever since. And what’s his favorite part of the job? “It’s gratifying to hear a customer say that a pair of shoes they purchased from us is the best shoe they’ve ever owned. When I’m not at work, I like to play piano and I love to cook, but in reality, talking to customers in the store is my favorite thing to do.” Shoe Visions is located at 4802 First Coast Highway in the Harris Teeter Shopping Center. For more information, visit www.shoevisions.com or call (904) 277-0909.

PHOTO BY SHERRY CARTER