Our History

The Beginning

When Reynold Johnson opened Johnson Jewelers in 1954, he was only twenty-four years old. Despite his youth, Rey had already acquired a wealth of knowledge about the jewelry business. As a child, Rey often helped his father, J. Arnold Johnson, in the family jewelry store he opened in the 1920's near their home in Duluth, Minnesota.

During his 33-year tenure at Johnson Jewelers, Rey Johnson’s hard work earned him a stellar reputation with his customers. In 1979, Rey was honored to make one of the pieces in the American Gemstone Collection now in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. He was also named in Who’s Who Among American Jewelers.

A Family Affair

From the beginning, Johnson Jewelers has been a family-run business. In the early years, Rey enlisted his wife, Marjorie, to work alongside him. His three young daughters helped out also. In 1980 Janny's husband Kevin joined his father-in-law in the store.

When Rey retired in 1987, he left with the assurance that Kevin Stevenson, now the owner, would ably continue the business he began. Over two decades later, several of Rey’s grandchildren have had the privilege of working in the business their grandfather built.

The Second Half

Under Kevin’s leadership, the store expanded to twice its previous size when in 1992 he acquired the store next door. During Kevin’s first decade at the store, he brought the business into the Information Age, streamlining the customer experience. In 1999 Kevin brought in the store’s first on-site goldsmith, ensuring that each handcrafted item meets the stringent Johnson Jewelers standards. A respected businessman himself, Kevin has been a member of both the Rotary Club and the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce. In 2008 Johnson Jewelers won the award for Business of the year from the Chamber of Commerce.

Today

Johnson Jewelers is more committed than ever to quality jewelry and a superb customer experience. While many things have changed in the last five decades, that commitment is unwavering. The street clock out front is a landmark that still reminds the community of Johnson Jewelers’ commitment to excellence and community service.