Can anyone remember Cunniffe’s Toy Shop on Main Street?  Perhaps you need a long memory as it was prior to September 1979, but a legacy lives on! Known as a ‘lucky shop’ the many memories people have as children of purchasing important items there such as a colouring book, jigsaw  or a dinky toy car is now replaced by people purchasing equally important, though different items, in Dalton Jewellers.

Working as a jewellery rep, Richard Dalton along with his wife Suzanne, identified Dungarvan as a rapidly expanding town with lots of potential prior to opening their doors almost 30 years ago! How right they were. Never looking back, and increasing their business annually, Suzanne remarks they have enjoyed loyal customers throughout that period, at this stage Dalton Jewellers have welcomed many generations of the same family through their doors!

The stack of stories this establishment has heard must be heavy. Each person comes in for a different reason, but generally a very important one to the individual. Isn’t jewellery synonymous for every occasion? An event can be marked so emphatically with an item of jewellery. When you consider that vouchers are spent, flowers wither as do fashions, but jewellery is something that is here forever, it is no wonder that even in recessionary time’s jewellery is still something that remains a very popular purchase.

‘Everyone wants something’, says Suzanne, maybe its a digital watch, a pair of diamond earrings,  a plain wedding ring or a piece of bespoke jewellery, whatever the desire, Dalton Jewellers can provide it.

Other services in addition to the basic sale of gifts and jewellery are repairing, free engraving and also to the relief of many; free gift wrapping! Dalton Jewellers  maintain that their distinctive features are a comfortable experience, unique pieces of jewellery available and the fact that they can solve problems at an expert level in store. Dalton’s team of staff aim to deliver a very high and professional level of customer service, displaying patience with clients, understanding their intentions and desires at all times.

Although a rule amongst the staff is ‘No elbows on the counter’, this is not likely to be a frequent opportunity in any case as perhaps the shop may appear quiet for a moment, you can be guaranteed that six people will come in together to be served at the same time! In between busy spats Suzanne and her team of 2 full time and 2 part time staff are busy repairing items, engraving, cleaning and window dressing and are  also responsible for the very important job of purchasing!

This can sometimes be a challenge it seems as you cannot buy what you like and dismiss what you don’t. Suzanne and all at Daltons are very aware everyone has unique tastes and must be catered for.

If your preference is BLING or you like conservative, or maybe you are somewhere in between, Dalton Jewellers ensure they can deliver a large choice of authentic goods at affordable prices.

The most important rewards to proprietor Suzanne are seeing pleasure from even small things. People take their time choosing an item as it is generally a very meaningful gesture as well as a gift. Suzanne Dalton can remember many stories about returning visitors to Dungarvan who call in and tell her about their first purchase in her store years ago and what has happened since. Or seeing a family come in to choose a gift for Mothers Day collectively clubbing together and carefully picking something they think Mum will like, putting it away for a few weeks maybe to pay it off. It is this type of thought that is most endearing.   Others may be more decisive though, choosing an item in less than 30 seconds; they just “know” this is the right piece.

Although jewellery too experiences trends, it seems that the culture of looking into a jewellery box and identifying occasions has thankfully not passed us. We can see our communion chains, confirmation earrings, engagement & wedding rings, retirement watches, 21^st Birthday Charm bracelets, Christmas cufflinks for example,  remembering  immediately what they symbolise.

Have you ever lost some piece of jewellery? It may not be expensive but generally weighs heavily with   sentiment; the same panic is there as if it costs fortunes. If you are the lucky recipient of a gift of jewellery, you are not only receiving a gift, but a gesture and a memory all wrapped up in one.   To be assisting someone when choosing this must be special.

Starting out in the 80’s, enjoying the Celtic tiger that followed the bleaker periods, and now in a recessionary economy Suzanne says the best advice she was ever given was “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. It may be easier said than done, but such a simple phrase may assist an entrepreneur in a moment of panic.  From repairing Rosary beads or helping people purchase jewels they will wear every day of their life, Dalton Jewellers (open 6 days a week) are experienced and able to give you specific facts about each piece you are keen on or simply to listen to your desires and help you choose the right piece for you.

A long term member of the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, Suzanne Dalton and her team are still as passionate about selling jewellery as the day they started; offering gold and silver, watches, gifts, handmade jewellery, sports trophies and medals, from a pendant to a tie pin, chains to cufflinks and everything in between.  

A belief by Sonia Henie; ‘Jewelry takes people's minds off their wrinkles’, works for me!