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Wyman's 36-year run comes to end Saturday
Vivian Gilmore After 36 years of serving Grove Hill and the surrounding area Wyman's Jewelry and Gift Shop will close this Saturday. The jewelry store was a dream of owner Vivian Gilmore. Her late husband, Grove Hill attorney Wyman Gilmore, built a shopping complex on Clark Street in 1971. "He said we needed a shoe store and a pawn shop in Grove Hill. I had always wanted a jewelry store so we decided to open one," Mrs. Gilmore said. Bill Pugh, who helped get the store stocked with jewelry, said Wyman's sounded more like jewelry store than Vivian's, so that is how the business got its name. 'Wonderful help' credited "I always had wonderful help over the years, including my high school help. Having been a high school teacher I wanted to use high school students as part-time help. They've all been a pleasure to work with and in 36 years I've never had to fire anyone," Mrs. Gilmore said. She declares herself a woman activist and says having a staff of women only was part of the store's success. "We had two rules. First, please the husbands. Second, if you had children involved in activities then the ladies would swap around so the mothers could see their child in the activities. I couldn't pay high salaries so they all got discounts," she explained. Those who staffed the store over the years included Diane Johnson, Martha Nell Reynolds, Doris Osborne, Lanie Keahey, Gina Fleming, Doris Hill, Sheila Steen, Pam Keahey, Kathy Ballard, Susan DuBose, Amy Robertson, Daisy Edge, Susan Golson, Kay Larrimore, Jean Scarbrough, Judy Powell, Debbie Coleman, Rachel Gordon, Ellen Gordon, Leslie English, Dawn Stephens, Candy Bumpers, Tiffany Duke, Elizabeth Stanley, Crystal Stifflemire, Elizabeth Patrick, Sonia Sheffield, Kelly Patton, Paula Stewart, Anna Bush, Molly Noble, Cindy Gilmore, Sue Duke, Beth Neal, Jennie Reynolds, Cindy Lambert, Charity Lambert, Lauren Megginson, Stephanie Pettis, Andrea Walker, Amy Vick and Latonia Hudson. Mrs. Gilmore tried to remember everyone but apologized for any she may have overlooked. Sister was a big help, too "I especially want to thank my [twin] sister, Mirian Heaton, who kept the books for me and was never paid a dime," Mrs. Gilmore said. Billy Glenn did a good bit of the jewelry repair, including engraving and ring sizing. Nita Vick later helped with that too. "Sheila and Pam enabled us to do an excellent job in selling quality diamonds to our customers. Even though they were not certified with their experience they can accurately analyze a diamond and we have sold some big stones." She said the most popular item sold has been the "Add-A-Diamond." When her husband died the store became more than an occupation to Mrs. Gilmore. It gave her motivation to get out and a chance to socialize with her staff and customers. "Later I was able to travel and play bridge and leave the store and I knew it was well taken care of." taken care of." Surprisingly, Mrs. Gilmore says she had very little theft over the years. Expecting mom confronts thief The most terrifying for her was when her daughter-in-law Cindy was working in the store and confronted a thief. She was also expecting twins at the time. "I was playing bridge at Bernice Garrett's when Cindy called me and told me a man was in the store looking at diamond rings and asking about the best price. Then I heard her tell him he had taken some of the rings. I asked her if I needed to call the police and she said 'Yes Ma'am.' He threw the rings in the kudzu behind the store. One of the men died before he went to trial and the other man was convicted." Another time a group of teenagers from Thomasville came into the store and one boy took a watch. Susan Golson, who was working that day called Thomasville Police Department and before Mrs. Gilmore knew about the incident the watch was returned. "I asked Susan why she didn't say anything to me first and she said it was because I wouldn't have done anything about it," she laughed. "Our police in this town have done an excellent job of coming whenever we called for them. Of course we've had the fire department come too." Apparently Wyman had stored some fertilizer under the building and the fumes activated the smoke alarm. "It was the middle of the night and I had to go down there. They checked everything real good," she laughed. Lots of legal help Having a husband and three children who are attorneys has certainly had its advantages. "Wyman always told me never to buy anything off the street because if it was stolen I would be held liable for it. "One day Wylynn came in the store and I had bought some fake Rolex watches, They looked real nice and they sold for about $100. She told me I had to take them out, that I couldn't sell something that was the copy of a brand. Having plenty of legal aid has helped me." Mrs. Gilmore said the people she has worked with and her customers have been like family. "I told my help to treat your customers like they would want to be treated and I feel we've done that. I believe a retail store has a responsibility to the community. Wyman's has tried to support the community. Each year we give a small gift to every graduating senior at both schools in Grove Hill. We've employed students through the DECA program. We've gotten awards for our Christmas windows and floats in the parades. 'A big part of my life'
"I wish someone would be interested in opening the store in Grove Hill because there is a need. I really feel Wyman's was an asset to Grove Hill. I appreciate the support of the people in Grove Hill and the friendships I made through this business. This has been a big part of my life,"
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