Hillcrest Jewelers

Located on Mayfield Rd. in Lyndhurst, Hillcrest Jewelry was established in 2000 by a Brush graduate who had already spent 30 years in the jewelry business. At the age of 11, Ken DiSanto, class of 1977, started sweeping floors for a neighbor in the jewelry business. He worked Saturdays helping out in the shop and began to learn the business. He spent the next 30 years working at William Evans Jewelers at Hilltop Plaza. When he decided to venture out on his own, Ken discovered that running his own business involved a lot of details: laying out and designing the space, what merchandise he wanted to carry, and ordering everything from watch bands to repair envelopes.

Running his own shop, and being the person who orders inventory, Ken has to keep on top of trends. Although classics, like diamond earrings, are always a good sell, the popularity of other items tend to ebb and flow over time. There are also cultural changes in the industry. According to Ken, “People used to just wear jewelry and watches out for special occasions. Now that it's come down in price, people have multiple watches and tend to wear jewelry everyday.”

Ken, who grew up on Hartley Rd. in Lyndhurst, attended Anderson, Memorial, and Brush. After graduating from Brush, Ken earned a BA in business management from Dyke College. He still fondly remembers many staff members including Larry Cirillo from Memorial, Robert Smith, Jim Smith, and Bob Casey from Brush. He also says that Candy Clemson always provided great support. He has been married for 40 years to Carol, who graduated from Rocky River in 1978. They have two grown children, Joey and Christina.

According to Ken, “This is a fun business, because jewelry is basically a luxury item.” If you live locally, the next time you need something special for that someone special, stop in and say hi to Ken!

Hillcrest Jewelers — 5652 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst