The Dimos didn’t just want more space to operate their Gainesville jewelry business.
“We wanted to build something like a landmark,” said Robert Dimo of Dimo Fine Jewelry off Browns Bridge Road at West End Avenue.
“We wanted to add something to the town,” sister Missy Dimo said.
The family-owned business is replacing its original 3,000-square-foot building with a two-story, 15,000-square-foot structure featuring limestone siding, hand-carved stones and 30-foot, 9-ton columns.
Each floor will have about 7,500 square feet, with the first floor featuring the store’s showroom and repair shop. The second floor will house offices and storage space, and will provide room for special events, such as trunk shows, the siblings said.
Plans call for tearing down the existing building and adding 25-30 parking spaces.
“Hopefully, we’ll be in the new building before Mother’s Day,” Robert said.
Before building, the family had considered options, including building on top of the existing business.
The Dimos also sought the input of customers and realized “we didn’t want to move to another location,” Missy said. “We wanted to stay in our location.”
The business, which dates to 1960 in Istanbul, has been at the Browns Bridge Road location since 1995, shortly after the family moved to the U.S. from Turkey.
“We wanted to move to a small town,” Robert said.
The ensuing years have been good ones for for the family.
“Thank God, we’ve been very successful,” Robert said.
The Dimos credit their success to relationships with their customers.
“We needed to grow a little more,” Missy said. “We kept putting it off until this year.”
Carl and Becky Clough of Homer said they are looking forward to the expansion — and the additional parking.
“It’s a tricky place to get in and out of,” Becky said.
The couple was in the store Tuesday afternoon picking out jewelry for their 50th anniversary.
The Cloughs also are loyal to the business.
“This is our jewelry store,” Carl said.
“I like the selection, and I love the people here,” Becky said.
