Daniel Welling is a fourth-generation jeweler whose great-grandfather, the late Richard Welling, opened Welling & Co. Jewelers in Lockland, Ohio, in 1920. Over a century later, family members remain the heart of the company.
A legacy of priceless expertise in the store’s fine jewelry, custom design and jewelry repair skills spans generations. Welling’s father (Bill), sister (Taylor), and cousin (Josh) all continue to work at the store, now located in West Chester Township.
Welling credits the company’s ability to endure for 103 years to two family traits – perseverance and flexibility.
“My grandfather and his brother worked during the Great Depression,” Welling explains. “For the company to survive and grow, they had to adapt and be flexible.”
In 2020, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and online shopping became more popular than in-person shopping. Welling & Co. quickly realized it needed to update its website and implement the latest technology to stay competitive.
“The pandemic was a real eye-opener because we had to refocus our efforts on the website,” Welling recalls. As a result, they were able to make progress even in the face of challenging economic circumstances.
The Welling & Co. jewelry collection includes gemstones, diamonds, gold, sterling silver and fashion jewelry. Although many retailers still conduct much of their business online, Welling notes that most consumers prefer to see and feel luxury jewelry before buying it. With that in mind, every item on Welling’s website is available for in-store viewing and purchasing.
Equally impressive as Welling & Co.’s penchant for perseverance is its dedication to customer service and retention. For the Welling family, it’s most rewarding when an overjoyed customer is thrilled with one of their products or a piece of exquisitely customized heirloom jewelry.
“We do a lot of custom jewelry design and repair, whether or not the jewelry was purchased from us,” Welling adds. “We are transparent about our capabilities and our pricing is reasonable. At Welling & Co., we are focused on the longevity and quality of the item, not making an easy sale.”
Planning to surprise a loved one with a gift of fine jewelry? Stop by Welling & Co. Jewelers, 8992 Cincinnati Dayton Road in West Chester, OH 45069, or visit their website, wellingandco.com, for more information.