Park Jewelers
Tony Tsirigotis, owner of Park Jewelers in Lake Mary, has now been in the jewelry business for 40 years, but when he reflects on the last four decades, he rarely thinks about the diamonds, gems, silver, and gold. Instead, Tony’s memories always bring him back to the people.
“It’s the relationships,” Tony says. “That’s what I remember, and that’s what means the most.”
Tony recalls one of his very first customers from the Jewelry Exchange in Altamonte Springs, where he began his career 40 years ago. She has followed him over the decades and is now a close friend – and still a regular, valued customer – in her 80s.
“As I moved stores, and as I opened my own stores, she always found me,” says Tony. “And a lot of my customers have done that. It’s just so humbling. These are more than just clients. They’re my friends and my family. They trust that I will do what’s right for them because I’ve proven it again and again over the last 40 years.”
All In the Family
In fact, Tony is now serving the grandchildren of young couples he helped buy engagement rings a full four decades ago.
“I must be getting old,” Tony laughs. “That’s incredible. Not the time, but that I’ve been a part of those families’ lives for generations now. That they’ve trusted me with such important moments in their lives.”
When asked what has changed most about the jewelry business in the last 40 years, it’s those engagement rings that Tony brings up. Not necessarily the rings, themselves (diamonds are, after all, forever), but the buying process his customers pursue.
“Back in the day, the young men would come in and pick out the rings for their fiancées – the young woman wouldn’t see the ring until he popped the question,” says Tony. “Today, the couples come in and choose or design the ring together. It’s a collaborative process, and it’s really sweet to see.”
A Party for the Ages
To celebrate Tony’s 40th anniversary, Park Jewelers recently hosted a special event at its Lake Mary showroom where customers new and old (including many from those early days four decades ago) came to honor the man, himself. It was a rousing party, and you can see full coverage on page 14.
“It was so humbling,” Tony says. “I couldn’t believe it.”
In a true testament to the crowd’s trust and appreciation for Tony and Park Jewelers, it was also a record-setting day for sales.
“We had eight people behind the counter, and we couldn’t keep up,” says Tony. “I was blown away.”
While reflecting on the party, Tony recalled a day many years ago shortly before he opened his own jewelry store for the very first time. He and his dad were installing tile together in the soon-to-be bathroom, neither of them quite sure if this new venture was a good idea.
Everything turned out just fine.
Like Father, Like Son
Tony has much to be proud of, but none of it compares to the pride he takes in his team and especially his family – wife Sylvie and son Demetre, who is following in his father’s footsteps and is building his own relationships behind the counter at Park Jewelers.
Though he’s already nine years into his own jewelry career, Demetre has plenty of time to perfect his craft. Tony says Demetre is in no danger of taking over his old man’s empire anytime soon.
“I’ve got another, maybe, 20 years in me,” Tony grins. “I’m not even thinking about retiring. How could I? I just love what I do – I just love the people – so much.”