For 65 years, Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers have served the citizens of Rome. Few companies can claim that longevity.
And for 50 of those years, Jan Fergerson was with the company because one of the founders, Joe Gittings, told her to “stick with me, baby.”
Through its many incarnations, staff changes, remodels and upgrades, the business has stood the test of time and continues to be part of Broad Street to this day.
The store opened its doors in 1958, a risky venture for three men, Bill Ford, Joe Gittings and Bill Kane.
“The first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly blessed this business has been,” said Fergerson, the company’s co-owner and CFO. “This business was built by three men who pooled all their financial resources to start what they hoped would be a successful venture. It was not easy for a long time. But everyone was dedicated to customer service and did their best for everyone who came into the store.”
But the store soon gained a reputation as a quality, full-service jewelry store.
In the late 1970s, the store got a new look with carpets, paint and lighting.
In 1982 Joe Gittings bought the building at 314 Broad Street and they expanded to 312 and 314 Broad.
“We’ve always been in that location,” Fergerson said. “We more than doubled in size, but we kept our address and called it 312 Broad Street.”
From 2006 to 2008, the store underwent major renovations to reveal what we see today as Ford, Gittings & Kane, replacing the front entrance, opening up two buildings, and expanding the floor plan to include a rear parking lot.
Throughout its existence, the store has had the support of the community, and Fergerson said that’s the only reason they’ve been successful for so many years.
“The support of this community means the world to us,” she said. “We know that without our customers we would cease to exist. If people didn’t walk in our doors and come see us for their repairs, wedding gifts, engagement rings, birthdays, anniversary gifts and all those celebrations of life, we wouldn’t be able to open our doors.”
“We are fortunate to have a business like Ford, Gittings & Kane growing in Rome,” said Rome Floyd Chamber President Pam Powers Smith. “A lot of people don’t realize how rare it is to have a business that’s still going strong after 65 years — especially in a historic downtown.” We are so proud to have them as part of our community and celebrate with them this year.”
After 65 years, the fourth generation of customers is entering the store’s doors.
“What I love is that people will call us from all over the country and say that their grandparents’ engagement ring and their parents’ ring came from the store and now they’re getting married and want to carry on that tradition,” Fergerson said. “There are no worlds to explain how much it means that people remember us. It tells us that we are part of these special moments in their lives.”
And while she’s adamant she’s played very little part in the business’s success over the years, many Rome residents see Fergerson as the face of Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers.
This year marks a milestone for the store itself, but it also marks 50 years since Fergerson has been with FG&K.
She started working for the company in 1973 as extra help at Christmas time. With Joe Gittings as her mentor, she put her gemological education behind bars and became a registered jeweler with the American Gem Society in 1979.
In 1981, she became the first female Certified Gemologist in Georgia, and three years later, in 1984, she became the first female Certified Gemologist Appraiser in the state. She is currently one of only six who have that title in the country.
In 1987, Fergerson became the first woman president of the Southeast Guild of the American Gem Society, but it wasn’t until 1996 that she became a co-owner of Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers, running the company with her operating partner, Alice Herring.
Under her leadership, the team at Ford, Gittings & Kane is comprised of a knowledgeable staff that includes an additional Certified Gemological Appraiser, Certified Gemologist, Registered Jeweler and Certified Sales Associate.
Fergerson also led the team in creating their signature annual fundraiser, “Kickback to the Community,” an auction that has returned thousands of dollars to local nonprofits since its inception in 2008.
“It’s always going to be about Mr. Gittings,” Fergerson said. “Every opportunity I got is because of him. I still give him credit in my mind.”
Rome Floyd Chamber President Pam Powers Smith said Fergerson is invaluable to downtown Rome and the community at large.
“Jan doesn’t only work at FGK,” she said. “Jan volunteers, helps, is part of the community, meets people, genuinely wants to help her customers, cares, is dedicated, knows useful information, knows the history of our community, and the like of a person is invaluable.”
Always rejecting praise, Fergerson is adamant that business success is the result of teamwork.
“The only way I can do that is knowing I have a team with me,” she said. “If I got up every morning and thought I had to go do what those three men did, there’s no way I could ever come to work. I don’t see myself that way. But knowing the whole team by your side, the sky is the limit.”
She is proud of the fact that three members of her team are actively studying gemology.
When asked what she thinks the company’s founders would think if they saw how far Ford, Gittings & Kane has come today, Fergerson said she hopes they would be proud.
“MR. Kane had no children. I never really worked with him – she said. “So I can’t speak for him. Bill Ford had a son who worked here and is still in touch. He walked into the shop, looked around and said ‘my father would never believe that’. Well, I think Mr. Ford would be amazed.
“Joe Gittings was my mentor,” she added. “He encouraged me to study gemology. He would always say ‘Hold on to me, kid.’ Even in his 80s he was restoring these buildings to give us the best opportunity to grow and be the best we could be when he could only think about his own retirement. I am convinced that he is always watching over us. He would always say ‘great job kid, he’s our biggest supporter and our biggest angel.’
The future looks bright for Ford, Gittings & Kane. They completely renovated the repair department with a new bathroom, new floors and a polishing machine.
This year also marks business milestones for Jimmy Madden (age 25) and Jerome Thomas (age 15).
“We’re moving forward trying to improve working conditions and customer service,” Fergerson said. “We are working on the future of this company. My goal is that in the years to come, Ford, Gittings & Kane will celebrate another 50 years.”
“None of us would be here without those three men,” she added.