The August addition of Traditional Jewelers has brought some more bling to the Malibu Country Mart. With another location in Newport Beach, the family-owned and operated jewelry store owners say they’re excited to settle into their new home and become part of the community.
Traditional Jewelers offers a wide selection of luxury watches by noted manufacturers such as Rolex and Cartier. Owner Lula Halfacre said in an interview Friday she plans to expand the store’s collection of women’s jewelry as it grows more accustomed to Malibu clients’ interests. The store also offers service business, including jewelry redesign and repairs. Her children Natalie and Erik work alongside her.
“We’re a family business that has always been very involved with the communities we’ve lived in and done business in so we’re excited abut being a part of Malibu,” Halfacre said.
Halfacre, a Mississippi native, and her late husband Marion, a Tennessee native, entered the jewelry industry in 1975 while living in Mississippi. In 1979, the Halfacres moved to Newport Beach, where they opened the first Traditional Jewelers at Fashion Island shopping mall in 1991. The family then opened two additional stores in the Ritz Carlton hotels in Rancho Mirage and Laguna Niguel, but closed them last year to relocate to Malibu.
Erik Halfacre, a 29-year-old graduate gemologist, has worked with Traditional Jewelers for six years.
“Since his dad’s passing, he’s taken on a lot of those [gemologist] jobs and skills,” Lula said. “Erik is in tune with what the 25- to 35-year-old age group is into and watches certainly have always been his passion. He is on top of watch industry.”
To the Halfacres, Traditional Jewelers is more than just a business. In hearing them speak, jewelry is clearly a passion.
“It’s always a very positive industry,” Lula said. “People generally make purchases for fun occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and births. It’s fun being a part of family memories.”
Natalie Halfacre, marketing manager for Traditional Jewelry’s Country Mart location and recent graduate of Chapman University, said working in Malibu has enhanced the business’s client-oriented value system.
“I love working in Malibu because the people are so nice,” Natalie said. “Within the first week I knew all the employees in the center by name, and everyone supports surrounding businesses. It feels like we have a relationship with the community. It’s more about the relationships than the business.”
Though the store receives international clientele from countries such as Spain and Australia, Natalie is keen on the latest local jewelry trends.
“In my opinion, diamond hoops right now are the modern day trend,” she said. “Big watches and big hoops are in fashion right now, and you can dress them up or down. They’re versatile.”
The Halfacres expect a fruitful year, especially during the summer, which is high season for most Malibu businesses.
“The business is going really well,” Natalie said. “It was tough opening at the end of summer versus the beginning when it’s busier. But our family-owned business ties in nicely with the community. Hopefully summer will bring in a lot of new faces. I think it’ll be a busy, fun summer.”
Traditional Jewelers is located at
3835 Cross Creek Rd., No. 19; 310.317.9100