b'Tom added a second floor to Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in 2021. He uses the space to holdTom uses the space to hold small dinner parties, serving meals dinner parties with top chefs in the area, along with trunk shows, community events, andfrom top chefs in the area. private special occasions like VIP engagements. Theyre really just wonderful nights out that are very special. The best restaurant in town is my event space above my store, he says. Weve got about three really top chefs we work with here and we do dinners regularly. People love coming here. When we send out an invitation for dinner here, everybody whos invited comes. If a sale is made up on what used to be the roof, thats just a plus. Tom explains, Its a nice way to do business. Its not really that youre selling strangers things. Youre hanging out with friends and having con-versations and if were in that conversation, maybe it leads to a sale.That goes back to us being connected with our customers on a different level than them just being customersWe know whats going on with themsomebodys getting married or somebody had a grandkid. Were part of a lot of those celebrations. In 2023, Tom continued the newness at Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers with a complete remodel of the main showroom, gutting it to create an open-concept floorplan, update the vendor areas, and put in a new Rolex salon.In 2024, the retailer had another big year. Schwanke-Kasten celebrated 125 years in business, recreating pieces from its archives and hosting a party in the upstairs event space. Were sort of low key. We didnt need to toot our horn that much about it. Thats just not us, Tom says. We did a couple things with some of our key clients to celebrate. One night was a blowout. We had way too many people here, but it was fun.CONGRATULATIONSHALL OF FAME INDUCTEESTOM DIXONKATHY COREYJEFFREY ZIMMERSUPER SEVILLE PRECISIONIST MOVEMENTNATIONAL JEWELER 17'