Nestled on the corner of the Willy Co-Op block of University Avenue lives an unassuming store with a revolving door of precious goods. For decades, University Coin & Jewelry has been a delightfully chaotic hub of buying, selling, and banter. Step inside and you’ll find a constantly evolving museum where everything is for sale and the curators, a highly experienced and genuinely quirky staff, are as warm as they are knowledgeable. If you’re determined to ditch the disposable holiday gifting this year, this eccentric, friendly shop is your destination for finding a gift of true intention.
In an industry where trust is paramount, employee Tim Heuer explains that the store's ethos makes it an easy place to work: “I stand behind what we’re selling because the prices are honest.” This transparency has resulted in “a lot of return customers,” says Tony Harper, an employee who started as a dedicated shopper. It has also led to long-standing relationships with other jewelry businesses that turn to UCJ for appraisals. Tim adds, “It’s all about building trust. Many people bring in a box of jewelry and say, ‘I don’t know what I have here.’ It would be so easy to say, ‘This isn’t anything…’ and then turn around a profit. It’s like, no. I always tell people, I like to sleep at night.”
This loyalty has been built, brick by brick, on a foundation of deep-seated trust. The staff understands that when people are selling, they are often at their most vulnerable, dealing with estates or financial necessity. Everyone who walks through their door is a neighbor whom they remain committed to supporting through their passion and rare portfolio of experience, shares Tim, “we're not just here to sell jewelry. We're also here to provide a service to the community."
Their dedication to integrity directly translates to the consumer buying experience. Since most of their inventory is pre-owned, the prices are typically a fraction of retail costs. This means you can give a high-quality gift, such as a fine watch or a diamond ring, at a price that reflects your budget.
As the holiday season approaches, the store becomes a hub for intentional shoppers. For some, it’s time for their annual visit, where they arrive ready to handle all their gifting in one swoop. The staff act as an invaluable guide, ready to help you find that needle-in-a-haystack gift. As your enthusiastic navigators, “we can narrow down what you’re looking for and come up with a game plan,” shares Tony. It becomes quite an enjoyable experience when you take the time to truly think about how someone’s personality can influence the selection of a piece as unique as they are.
To ensure your gift is a perfect fit, they offer resizing and even custom design work, further proving this shop is anything but ordinary. Ready for a custom engagement ring? They can take a picture, provide a CAD design, give you a 3D-printed model for approval, and have it handmade by a local craftsman, all without the excessive markups of larger stores.
Whether investing in silver every month like a local high school student, selling an old collection, or seeking a special piece that will carry value and a new story, University Coin & Jewelry is the honest, vibrant, and perfectly ravishing stop for all your holiday needs.
A childhood passion for collecting rare coins and watches led Jason to take a part-time job at the shop in 2010. Within seven months, he was promoted to manager. In 2017, Jason took over as the owner, committed to preserving the store's legacy while building on their niche as a knowledgeable, trusted community cornerstone.