ORANGE SLICES
Melissa and Gladys Knight, the Golden Retriever.
Melissa Booth has lived a life steeped in creativity, design, and the meticulous attention to detail that is necessary for creating one-of-a-kind works of art. Melissa eventually became a goldsmith, and the owner of Melissa’s Jewelers in Hillsborough, but the seeds of her passion were planted by her father, who was a cabinetmaker.
“Growing up,” she says, “I studied my father. I saw the skill and care that went into each piece. Every detail was painstakingly thought out and every angle precise. This is when I first realized how important handcraftsmanship is.”
A native of Wisconsin, Melissa settled in North Carolina over two decades ago.
“I arrived in the Chapel Hill area in 1999,” she says, “via a 3-year stint in Asheville. About 6 months after living near Chapel Hill, I discovered Hillsborough on a night out for dinner. I was home. I loved the community vibrancy and the sense that everyone was happy and eclectic. So many artists, authors, and characters! I felt at peace here and still do.”
Melissa Designer Jewelry on King Street.
Melissa specializes in one-of-a-kind gold jewelry with unusual and unusually beautiful stones. A professional goldsmith for almost 40 years, Melissa designs all pieces on paper before gold work has begun. Art deco architecture, nature, and the human figure are all evoked in her designs.
She came to jewelry production early — in high school — and studied at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. From there she began her apprenticeship, working for years with accomplished designers and winning design awards — until the time came to live her dream: opening her own business producing one-of-a-kind creations for her clients.
And that’s how she came and has stayed here for the last quarter century. In September, she celebrated new digs on King Street. Booth and her staff filled the space vacated by the Ballard Agency after it closed its office in the spring, and the new location has three times more space. The interior has been completely overhauled and includes works of art by local artist Jim Adams.
It’s more than a jewelry shop, though. Melissa often invites the community in with special celebrations, food, art displays and fun. Rich purple and yellow-gold paint greet customers upon arrival, and three large, brightly colored ceramic planters adorn the sidewalk at the entrance.
New design elements at the expanded store on King Street.
One thing is certain: Melissa attracts people who like to get together and hang. Her store has always been a good place for locals who wander in and find themselves meeting new people and networking for business purposes. “She has a way of making you feel welcome and encouraging you to browse, gab, and talk to her dog,” says local Karen Sjoberg.
Gladys Knight loves new visitors.
For those interested in visiting Melissa and her beautiful new location on King, her new dog is named Gladys Knight, and she’s a retriever, the golden kind. Of course.
Updated hours of operation for Melissa Designer Jewelry are:
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
The Best Shopping near Melissa Jewelry in Hillsborough
- Uniquitiques: 125 East King Street. Re-Invintaged Home Decor & More
- Dual Supply Co: 115 West King Street
- Cup-A-Joe: 112 West King Street, Closes at 3 :00 pm · (919) 732-2008
- dwell Hillsborough: 107 North Churton Street
- Purple Crow Books: 109 West King Street
- Carlisle & Linny Vintage Jewelry: 112 South Churton Street
- Kim’s Bake Shop: 111 North Churton Street
- Hillsborough Yarn Shop,114 South Churton Street
- Matthew’s Chocolates: 104 North Churton Street
- LLC Boutique: 108 Churton Street, Ladies’ Apparel, Gifts, Home Décor & more.
- Hillsborough Bakeshop & Pasta Co.: 110 South Churton Street
- The Mercantile Center: 121 North Churton Street, Suite 106
- The Town Scoop: 113 West King Street
- Hillsborough Arts Council: 102 North Churton Street
- Spiral Studios Jewelry designer: 115 North Churton Street
- Volume Records & Beer: 226 South Churton Street
- Colonial Inn Hotel: 153 West King Street
Town Scoop
There are several restaurants on King Street in Hillsborough, North Carolina, including Mexican restaurants, pizza places, and other dining options:
- Los Altos restaurant: Casual Mexican restaurant serving breakfast, tacos, tortas, and more
- West Hillsborough Pizzeria: Pizza place with scratch-made ingredients, wings, burgers, salads, and beer
- Village Diner: Southern diner with large portions and fast, friendly service
- Nomad: Cozy, rustic restaurant with a global menu of traditional ethnic dishes and cocktails
- Dining At The Inn – The Colonial Inn: Restaurant with a bar that serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch
Laurie Paolicelli is executive director for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a position she has held since 2005. Laurie has worked in tourism and marketing for twenty-five years, having served in leadership roles in Houston and California convention and visitor bureaus. She is a native of the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN/Superior Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications from the University Wisconsin-Superior and graduate certification in Technology In Marketing from the UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
This reporter can be reached at Info@TheLocalReporter.press
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