About Us – Visit Durowville

A Legacy of Excellence in Fine Jewelry

Our Story

Our journey began in a most unexpected way. The property we purchased was once home to a pool and patio business, with a series of garages and storage buildings in the back. By early fall, those buildings had transformed into an antique shop—Wooden Skate Antiques—welcoming customers eager to explore a curated collection of vintage treasures.

For several years, we focused on growing this business while starting a family. But in 1978, our passion for fine jewelry led us to open our first jewelry store, Estate Jewelry & Gems, in a small space attached to our home.

Between 1980 and 1982, our original antiques shop, a mix of utilitarian buildings, was redesigned into an elegant 1880s-style town replica, affectionately known as Durowville. This transformation fulfilled a long-held dream of becoming the “Mayor” of our own town.

As our business grew, so did our inventory. We expanded into an antique barn, a mini-storage space, and a warehouse in Williamston, even operating Wooden Skate East from 1987 to 1989 in a beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian home.

By 1989, our jewelry business had outgrown its original space. It moved into a newly designed, larger showroom within the main store, allowing us to expand our collection and enhance our services. Over time, we became a premier jeweler, consistently recognized as the Best Jeweler in Ingham County by the People’s Choice Awards.

In 1990, we took another bold step, developing a retail complex on our farm property at Jolly and Hagadorn Roads. The Farm Village Antique Mall became home to over 45 dealers specializing in fine antiques and collectibles, alongside Spud’s Shop, The Garden Barn, and non-retail tenants such as Happendance and Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

More Than a Shopping Destination

Wooden Skate is more than just a store—it’s an experience. Visitors enjoy a unique shopping atmosphere, highlighted by:

  • Stunning stained glass, tin ceilings, antique stairways, and oak columns
  • Beautifully landscaped grounds, featuring a Victorian-style two-story children’s playhouse and a charming gazebo
  • Tour groups regularly visiting for the unparalleled selection and ambiance
  • One of our most whimsical and beloved features is the Living Cemetery—a playful nod to life itself. Each hand-carved wooden tombstone bears the name of a real (and still living) person, with humorous, self-written epitaphs. A one-way sign points heavenward, reminding visitors to cherish every moment.

For decades, we have been a full-service jeweler, offering:

  • On-site repairs, appraisals, and insurance replacements
  • A gemologically trained staff
  • Membership in Jewelers of America, subscribing to a strict Code of Ethics
  • Alumni of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

Top ratings, including:

  • #1 rated by the Jewelers Board of Trade
  • 1-A rating with Dun & Bradstreet
  • Voted People’s Choice Best Jeweler in Ingham County, we have proudly served the community from the same location since 1973. We are also a proud member of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Visit Us

From our beginnings as an antique shop to becoming the region’s premier jeweler, we have always remained committed to quality, integrity, and exceptional service. We invite you to visit us and experience the charm, history, and excellence that make us a truly unique destination.