BUSINESS FEATURE
BY JISHNU NAIR
A GEM IN CONROE
Brownlee Jewelers has expanded its inventory and services in Conroe over its 90 years.
Turquoise necklace
Parrish said customers are drawn to turquoise, as found in this necklace.
Owner Janice Parrish (left) and employee Judy Brandon described themselves as “like sisters.”
Carved box
PHOTOS BY JISHNU NAIR COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Brownlee Jewelers Downtown Conroe jewelry shop celebrates 90 years in business A t the corner of Simonton and Main streets in downtown Conroe, a sign posted in the window declares Brownlee Jewelers
Brownlee Jewelers also sells carved wooden boxes and music boxes in addition to watches and jewelry.
Parrish recalled. “He saw how excited I was about learning.” Parrish’s studies helped Brownlee Jewelers expand its services and technology in the areas of gem cutting, appraisal and design. Brownlee died in 1988, leaving Parrish to run the business on her own. Despite the downtown area “exploding,” Parrish said she is happy to see the area continue to embrace its history through its red brick store- fronts and restored buildings. “[People] love to walk these beautiful sidewalks now,” Parrish said. “And they’ll peek in and see Brownlee’s. New people come down, and any time we have the opportunity, we bring them in and make them feel like they’re at home.” In addition to its jewelry sales and repair services, Brownlee also sells and repairs watches and appraises items for insurance. Parrish said her favorite part of the job is custom designs, espe- cially reworking existing pieces. “That’s what makes this business interesting: You can never make it all; you can never see it all.” Parrish said. “You can be as creative as you want.”
Custom ring
is celebrating 90 years in business in 2022. Owner Janice Parrish said she has been with the store for nearly half that time. Brownlee Jewelers opened in 1932 as a counter in the Brownlee family’s pharmacy across the street from its current location. In 1951, the family opened a brick-and-mortar store at 201 Simonton St., where the business stands today. Parrish joined the shop in 1981, just out of high school. Then-owner Pinky Brownlee had been looking for help and took her on immediately, Parrish said. “I walked into the shop, and Mr. Brownlee told me, ‘See you on Monday,’” Parrish said. Brownlee funded Parrish’s gemology education in California at the Gemological Institute of America. Parrish, whose family could not a ord college on their own, called Brownlee a “godsend” and said she loved her coursework. “I’d come back from California and ask, ‘Mr. Brownlee, can I go back to do appraisals?’”
Parrish said this ring is designed in a similar style to a ring once worn by Princess Diana.
Brownlee Jewelers 201 Simonton St., Conroe 936-756-2751 www.brownleejewelersconroe.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m-5:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun.
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION • JANUARY 2022
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