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For the past two decades, Louis Smith has enjoyed helping Spartanburg residents attain the finer things in life through his downtown business, Smithworks Fine Jewelry at 361 E. Kennedy St.

On Wednesday, Smith’s company turned 20 and, for the first time in his career, Smith had a chance to appraise something besides jewelry — his career.

“I’ve always tried to stay one step ahead by bringing nationally known designs to Spartanburg,” he said. “I want to give my customers value and go out of our way to try and make people happy when they shop with us.”

Smith said he became interested in the tiffany jewelry business while he was a student at Wofford College. For his interim study, a class that offers opportunities for off-campus learning and travel, he went to Los Angeles and worked with a jeweler.

“I got hooked,” Smith said. “I immediately loved it. I still love it.”

After graduating from Wofford, he began working for his family’s business, Smith Music.

By 1988, Smith had saved enough money to open his first retail jewelry shop. He chose a 700-square-foot space near downtown Spartanburg’s main shopping thoroughfare, off Magnolia Street.

Smith said he initially found the city’s retail jewelry industry a tough rock to cut.

“We had a difficult start,” he said. “For the first two weeks, not a customer walked through the doors. It was frustrating.”

But Smith’s luck changed when a competing downtown cufflinks jewelry store, Crosby’s, closed its doors. He said that store’s customer base began to shop at his store.

“I got a little lucky, I think,” he said. “I just came along at the right time and was able to get some of their customers.”

Last year, Smith made his biggest gamble as a business owner when he moved his shop out of the city’s shopping district to its current 3,500-square-foot location on Kennedy Street.

But the move was met with enthusiastic reviews, including a feature in the May 2007 issue of InStore magazine, a top national trade publication that highlights the best stores in the jewelry industry.

Smith’s sales have reached an all-time high as well.

While jewelry design continues to be a big part of his business, Smith has continued to stock his store with upscale brands such as Tiffany and Co., Tag Heuer, Jewels By Star, Roberto Coin, Baume & Mercier, Slane & Slane, Marco Bicego and Precision Set.

He is also diversifying his offerings with hopes of widening his appeal via more affordable merchandise and an elegant gift line.

“The first 10 years were the toughest, and I kept telling myself that if I could just get through those years I would get to 20,” Smith said.

“Here I am. I’m exactly money clips where I want to be, and I hope to be around for a long time and draw from a more regional audience.”

Credit: TREVOR ANDERSON, trevor.anderson@shj.com