Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 6, 2024 – Meet George Gotcher, the creative force behind Georgeous Custom Jewelry, right in the heart of Main Street Jonesboro.
George’s story starts in the vibrant city of Las Vegas before winding its way through Baytown, Texas and ending in Arkansas.
Growing up, he found himself drawn to craftsmanship, dabbling in welding while still in high school.
After a detour in the Navy where he taught survival skills to the SEAL Team after a parachute accident (talk about unexpected career twists!), George discovered his passion for jewelry. Armed with determination and a newfound skill set from the Trenton School of Jewelry, he dove headfirst into the world of jewelry making and retail.
After working in every “retail chain” you can think of, George was given an opportunity to come to the Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff. He stayed there for about 14 years until 2011 when he was asked to relocate to NEA and open a Sissy’s location in Jonesboro.
“I knew of Jonesboro, but I said, ‘Let me go check it out for a weekend.’ Brought my wife and we came up and checked it out. I liked it. I could figure out the town at that time. What it was like and where it was going.”
George went on, “At that point I said, OK, let’s do it. And we came to be here during the whole [Sissy’s] build. They wanted me to be part of it, to watch what was going on during the whole build of the store.”
He worked at Sissy’s as the Master Jeweler until 2015 when he took a leap of faith, opening his own shop.
During several conversations with then-Mayor Harold Perrin, he was encouraged to open his retail store in Downtown Jonesboro, “You need to be downtown. Downtown is where you need to be,” said Perrin.
He secured a prime spot on Union in downtown Jonesboro, betting big on its potential.
Georgeous quickly outgrew the 900 sq ft retail space and began looking to expand in 2017. George and his wife Denise had their eye on a 5,388 square foot commercial building located in the heart of Jonesboro’s downtown professional office and restaurant/retail district. The building, located at 308 S Main, is notably the oldest building on Main St, constructed in 1894.
Gotcher purchased the building in 2020 and relocated his business to the lower level. Even during the height of a pandemic, they completely remodeled the upper and lower levels while operating the business in the middle of a construction zone.
He attributes his success to word of mouth and by “just being a part of the city.” He explained that he has been self-marketing his business, participating in trade shows and donating pieces to events to get his work in the hands of potential customers.
George’s success isn’t just about business. He’s all about community vibes, actively participating in these local events and initiatives, making Georgeous Jewelry not just a store but a part of Jonesboro’s identity.
At the heart of it all is George’s dedication to customer satisfaction. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for personal connections, he ensures that every piece leaving his store brings joy to its wearer. Because his business is by appointment only, he ensures that every client gets the one-on-one attention they deserve.
Looking ahead, George has big plans: a rooftop deck and garden area atop their building, adding a touch of magic to the downtown experience. They’re currently in the middle of installing a balcony for their second-story residence, hence all the construction and road closures on Main over the last few weeks. “It’ll all be worth it,” he said. “It’ll have a full copper roof, all white railing. It’s going to be beautiful.”
It’s not just about selling bling for George; it’s about creating memories.
When asked why he does it, George grinned and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Main St as he explained that it’s the smiles on his customers’ faces that truly count. “Honestly, the people. The final end is their smile. That‘s my bread and butter.
“That gives me everything I need. It’s more valuable to me than money.”
