For more than 20 years, William Houchin has maximized every last square inch of his venerable Watch & Wares Estate Jewelry shop on South Glassell in Old Towne. Come this November, the shop, which specializes in the restoration of antique and estate jewelry, will expand its offerings. William is adding a second location in Old Towne just around the corner at 40 Plaza Square next to Starbucks.
The new store is about 1,200 square feet and features a customized showroom that displays a variety of merchandise, including artwork, jewelry, coins and collectibles. There will even be high-end vintage purses by Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes and more. As with the original 400-square-foot shop, the same warm, inviting environment will greet customers the moment they walk into the new store.
“I’ve been really blessed all of these years to be located where I am next to Summerhill,” says William. “Now we get to have another store around the corner next to such great businesses like Felix and Starbucks. It’s a very desirable location.”
A watch and repair expert, William became interested in watches at an early age when he first saw and became fascinated by his great-grandfather’s pocket watch from the 1800s. He started collecting watches as a child, bringing them home and taking them apart. After serving in the military for four years, William settled down in Orange County, where he set up shop at the old Rocking Chair Emporium before purchasing the small space on South Glassell formerly owned by Dee’s Estate Jewelry.
“We have customers who have shopped with us for as long as we’ve been here,” says William. “Our repeat customers come from all over the world.”
Customizing the new store, William has installed new accents and built the display cases himself. He also hired artist Jake Ledesma to create the same retro graphics and lettering featured at his existing shop.
“My inventory has grown through the years, so it’s great to be able to expand,” says William. “I love Old Towne, and I really don’t think there’s ever been a better time for the area than right now.”
Watch & Wares Estate Jewelry
108 South Glassell St, Orange CA 92866 / 714-633-2030
