Our History
Even though our store is brand new, our family has a long history in the jewelry business. During the 1890’s, my wife Pat’s grandfather, F.E. Starnes Sr., began working for W. S. Krause at a jewelry store in Monroe. Starnes then moved to Albemarle in the fall of 1898 and opened what later became known as Starnes Jewelry Store.
Starnes passed away in the 1930’s and the store was then managed by his son, F.E. “Francis” Starnes, until the mid-1970’s. At this point, F.E. “Gene” Starnes, the third generation, took over the business.
My involvement in the jewelry business began in the summer of 1981 when I began working with Gene. In 1989, I branched out and opened my own store in Concord. I stayed there until “retiring” in 2004 when I returned to work in Albemarle with Gene at Starnes Jewelry Store.
In May of 2022, Gene decided he needed to retire, and he closed the store. After giving it much thought and consideration, Pat and I decided we were not ready to retire and so we have opened our new business, Starnes Bramlett Inc. We hope you will stop by and visit!
Albemarle History
For videos on Albemarle’s history, click the button below.
Starnes Bramlett Jewelers 