Downtown Franklin, Tennessee

Welcome to America’s Favorite Main Street!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Explore
    • Shop
    • Eat & Drink
    • See & Do
    • Live & Work
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Festivals
    • Submit Event
  • Programs
    • Franklin Locals
  • Membership
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Staff & Advisory Board
    • Accreditation
    • Heritage Foundation
  • Blog
    • Latest News
    • Faces of Franklin
  • Contact

Walton’s Jewelry: Julie Walton

Melba Walton first began selling jewels in the 1960s, from a blanket thrown on the hood of her car. Each weekend she’d park outside the Nashville flea market, where she sold and sifted among the antique treasures and honed her eye for fine quality.

Soon, Melba turned her dealing into a brick-and-mortar business—one that’s commemorating 40 years in 2014.

On January 1, Walton’s Antique and Estate Jewelry launched a year-long celebration for the four successful decades and three generations in the business: Melba, son Michael Walton, and granddaughter Julie Walton are all involved in the daily operations of the family-owned shop on downtown Franklin’s Main Street.

“It’s amazing to be part of such a rich family history and my grandmother’s legacy,” said Julie, general manager at the store. “People who bought jewelry from her 50 years ago still buy from us today, and some of their family members do too.”

Melba first opened Walton’s in Carter’s Court in 1974, where the store gained a reputable name for its pre-1940s antique and estate pieces—an era that remains the foundation for the shop’s merchandise today.

With the help of a real estate friend, Melba had the insight to purchase Walton’s 410 Main Street building in the early ‘80s.

Today, the store is a delightful trove of 1920s diamond and emerald rings, vintage pendants and cameos, and sterling silver flatware and dishes. There are even Civil War-era guns and coins to entertain those not interested in the more dainty items.

In addition to its cultivated collection of fine items (Walton’s just got their hands on a signed Cartier cigarette holder from the Prohibition era), Julie says the store’s jeweler also catches steady repair work.

Julie, who is currently earning a degree from the Gemological Institute of America, remembers growing up in the store: first bouncing in a Johnny Jumper while her dad worked the show room, then playing with the various instruments as a curious child, and later helping around the place as a teenager.

Today, she goes on buying trips with Michael and helps manage the day-to-day side of the business. Oftentimes, she says, that means examining and purchasing jewelry that walks in with people through the Walton’s front door.

“Because we’ve been in business so long, we’ve established a reputation in antique and estate jewelry. People come from all over to sell us items, and my grandmother and dad still have relationships in New York’s diamond district,” she said. “Sometimes, buying is as fun as selling because you hear about the stories behind the pieces.”

When Julie began working at the shop, one of her first objectives was to attract the younger generation. Soon, Walton’s began renovations to open up the store and allow for a more customer-centric experience. The jewelry store also gained a more viable presence on social media, which Julie says has served as a valuable marketing tool.

“We want to convey that everyone is invited to share in the passion of antique jewelry, no matter who you are. We don’t work on commission, and we hope everyone feels comfortable here. Recently we’ve been getting a 30-year face lift!”

Julie says that the family is proud of their deep Franklin roots, and is looking forward to the next four decades on Main Street.

“My grandmother knew that this was going to be a popular spot, and we are right in the heart of it,” she said. “Franklin is such a cool community. Business is booming, and weekends are especially crazy.

“Being in Franklin is the best investment she could have made.”

The jewelry store is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To celebrate 40 years, Walton’s is giving away an antique item each month in 2014. To learn more, or to enter, visit their social media sites and their website at www.waltonsjewelry.com.

“Faces of Franklin” is part of a series on merchants and small business  owners in downtown Franklin, Tenn. that appears in the Williamson Herald each week.

Faces of Franklin

  • Avec Moi: Bob Roethemeyer
  • Barn Door: Kevin King
  • Baskin-Robbins: Brandon Anglin
  • Battle Ground Academy: Will Kesler
  • Boutique MMM: Maria Magdalena Molnar
  • Brandon Binkley: Bink’s Outfitters
  • Carnivore Market: SJ and Virginia Botha
  • Coffee House on Second and Bridge: Barbara Spierto
  • Damico Frame & Art Gallery: Michael Damico
  • Daniel-Christian Real Estate: Dianne Christian and Matt Daniel
  • ECCO SALON ON MAIN: Lisa Asselin
  • Finnleys Good Findings: Dawn Craig
  • Franklin Antique Mall: Amanda Pitts
  • Franklin Art Scene: J. Edward and Brenda Campbell
  • Franklin Mercantile Deli: Graeme Asch
  • Franklin On Foot: Margie Thessin
  • Frothy Monkey: Chase Ingalls
  • Gallery 202: Kelly Harwood
  • GEAR Foundation, Our Thrift Store: Dave Krikac
  • GRAY’S on Main: Joni Cole
  • Heart and Hands: Carol Bennington
  • Heylee B.: Heylee Achten
  • I Love Juice Bar: Jason Collins
  • Imago Dei: Sarah Tucker
  • JJ’s Wine Bar: Jessie Myhre, Spencer and Jill Pittman
  • Johnnie Q: Brooklyn Byrd
  • JONDIE: Rebecca and Jondie Davis
  • Kelly Spalding Designs: Kelly Spalding
  • Kimbro’s Cafe and Carpe Diem: Will Jordan
  • Landmark Booksellers: Joel and Carol Tomlin
  • Lotz House Museum: J.T. Thompson
  • McCreary’s Irish Pub: Natasha Hendrix
  • Mellow Mushroom: Mark Clark
  • Misty Westebbe Photography: Misty and Bruce Westebbe
  • Onyx & Alabaster: Tanya Hembree
  • Papa C Pies: Chad and Gary Collier
  • Parks Realty: Danny Anderson
  • Philanthropy: Christina Martin
  • Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow: Jason McConnell
  • Riverside Antiques: Lynda McGuire
  • Savory Spice Shop: Hollie Rollins
  • Scarlett Scales Antiques: Scarlett Scales
  • Shannon Eye Care: Shannon Zingle
  • Shuff’s Music: Ron Shuff
  • Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats: CeCe Moore and Mike Hissong
  • T. Nesbitt and Co.: Trisha Nesbitt
  • Taylor Made Smiles: Missy and Court Burton
  • The Bunganut Pig: Mark and Amy Goodson
  • The Cellar On Main: Janice Swartz
  • The Heirloom Shop: Elaine Thompson
  • The Shop Around The Corner: Teresa Powers
  • Tin Cottage: Marianne DeMeyers
  • Triple Crown Bakery: Alena Vaughn
  • Twine Graphics: John Bond and Brandon Hagan
  • Vue Optique: David and Wendy Shen
  • Walton’s Jewelry: Julie Walton
  • Williamson County CASA: Marianne Schroer
  • Winchester Antique Mall: Kim Tuzzio
  • Yarrow Acres: Sheri Gramer
  • Zolo’s Italian Restaurant: Judy and Brian Holmes
  • Explore
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Membership
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

© Copyright 2014 Downtown Franklin Tennessee · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Strange Bird Media · Admin