Wall’s Jewelry is Main Street Radford’s ‘Business of the Month’

Wall’s Jewelry, Main Street Radford’s business of the month for January. Pictured is Hilda Wall. Photo courtesy of Becky Haupt, Main Street Radford.

It’s a walk down memory lane when you visit Wall’s Jewelry, Main Street Radford’s business of the month for January.  This business, started in Radford 1936 by the Wall’s, held the corner-market for Radford brides.  When the business was started originally by current owner Hilda Wall’s parent in laws in North Carolina in 1933, the locally owned jewelry store chain had a one stop shop concept for weddings.  Back in the day, while picking out your wedding bands, jewelry stores had a location in the rear of the store that housed china patterns, like Wedgewood, Lenox, Spode or Royal Doulton.  There would also be a spot where future brides could pick out the sterling silver flatware or Oneida pewter and register for crystal by Waterford.   A lot of that type of buying and shopping has changed though.  And while Wall’s jewelry still has those offerings, they have been able to branch out and diversify their inventory.

Before Hilda Wall first married her husband, Edward Wall, he and his parents managed 4 jewelry stores in between North Carolina and Virginia with locations in Elkin, Mt. Airy and Radford and Pulaski.  After marrying Edward Wall in 1958 they helped open the North Wilkesboro, North Carolina and then the Christiansburg, Virginia store in 1969.   It’s a business that she and her husband ran for years with Hilda selling jewelry and ordering inventory and Mr. Wall doing watch repair and traveling in between the six stores. After so many years, the Wall’s sold the North Carolina stores and concentrated on the Virginia stores.  After Mr. Wall’s passing in 2003, Mrs. Wall decided to concentrate her efforts on the Radford store.

And so the three story building has been a home to Wall’s Jewelry for these many years.  It has always been a vibrant/viable business.  Prior to Wall’s jewelry, the building housed a ladies upscale clothing boutique”Bradley’s Department Store” that used to have an elevator in the front part of the store.   After the Wall’s took over the building, they really only needed the first floor and the basement for storage.  So they rented the second floor, at one point to the Downtown Retail Merchants Association, Dr. Solomon and an Optician – just another example of the Wall’s progressively moving forward. In the face of change and modernization,  their product line has grown to incorporate their men’s line of jewelry that includes rings, tie clips, cuff links, pocket watches by Charles Hebert , ID bracelets, key-chains and re-fill able lighters and watches-from Hamilton, Bulova, Elgin and Pulsar.  Although Mrs. Wall doesn’t do on site watch repair any longer, she has a wonderful watch repair, jewelry repair and bead re-stringing service that she calls upon.   Wall’s jewelry also carries Hummel figurines, leather and metal watch band replacement, Parker and Cross writing pens, children’s jewelry pearls, lockets and so much more.

To find out more about Wall’s jewelry and their selections, visit them on Main Street at 1077 East Main Street or contact them at (540)639-2324.  Their business hours are Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm and on Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm.

–Submitted by Becky Haupt, Main Street Radford

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