Three generations of West Kelowna jewellers
For 50 years, our family has had the privilege of being part of this community, helping generations of customers celebrate life’s special moments and care for the jewellery that means the most to them.
1976
A Family Passion
When Joe Karl and Marianne Schmidt opened a small gift and watch repair shop on the corner of Westbank’s Main and Brown Streets in 1976, they couldn’t have imagined the family legacy they were about to create.
A watchmaker in Berlin before the end of the Second World War, J.K. moved to Montréal in 1952 with the help of a local farmer. Keen to pay the farmer back for helping to bring his family to Canada, J.K. worked on the farm before moving to Montréal. In the city, Marianne became a nanny and J.K. went back to what he loved: fixing mechanical equipment. Following a brief stint in Calgary, Alberta, while working for the Canadian Armed Forces, J.K. and Marianne relocated to Westbank in 1976. J.K. went straight to work fixing watches and clocks for Westbank’s jewellery stores, but Marianne wanted something more for their family.
Dreaming of owning their own gift store, our first generation of owners opened the doors to JK Schmidt Jewellers in 1976. In seven short years, J.K. and Marianne moved down the road to the current Main Street location and expanded into three vacant lots.
1980
Then, in 1980, our family grew as the second generation of Schmidts—son Troy and daughter-in-law Lee Ann—joined the JK Schmidt team. Today, Troy and Leeann run the store alongside their three daughters Jennifer, Stephanie and Krista.
2026
In 2026, JK Schmidt Jewellers celebrates 50 years in West Kelowna. Over the decades, styles have changed, our community has grown, and new generations have walked through our doors. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the relationships we’ve built with our customers and the trust they’ve placed in our family.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of our story.
The Changing Face of Jewellery
When J.K. and Marianne Schmidt first opened JK Schmidt Jewellers in 1976, everything was done by hand. When people brought in watches or clocks for repair, J.K. would pull out his tools and delicately revive the customer’s timepiece.
Automatic winding and quartz watches, then relatively new technology in the world of watchmaking, were brought in every few years for a thorough cleaning. J.K. would spend weeks of painstaking work cleaning and restoring the piece to its former glory.
J.K.’s attention to detail lives on.
What began with J.K.’s skill as a watchmaker has grown into a family tradition of craftsmanship and care.
Although the tools and techniques have changed over the years, the attention to detail that J.K. brought to his work remains an important part of our business today.
From jewellery repairs and custom design to the everyday care of treasured pieces, we’re proud to continue the tradition he started in 1976.
A Loyal Community
West Kelowna has been our home since 1976, and being part of this community has always meant so much to our family.
Over the years, we’ve been proud to support local traditions, organizations and charitable events, including Westside Days, Mrs. Westbank and the Peachland Ambassador Society.
As we celebrate 50 years, we’re especially grateful to the families who have supported us, recommended us to friends and trusted us with their most meaningful pieces. Your continued support is the reason we’re still here today.
