Whitakers Jewellers has been servicing the Hunter region for over 100 years since its inception by Reginald Wilfred Whitaker and his three sons back in 1903. This year, the brand moves into a new chapter with the opening of its new store on Pacific Highway in Charlestown.

We caught up with fourth-generation jeweller and owner John Whitaker and his daughter Eden Whitaker on-site at their new store to hear all about their next big chapter.

“The whole point of us moving into this space is to get the next generation set up and start really bringing people from outside of the Hunter region to experience Whitaker’s Jewellers,” John said. 

It’s a business story that is steeped in history with a passion and dedication to the jewellery industry. 

Whilst the business has had homes across the Hunter region, more recently you’ll remember Whitakers Jewellers from its cosy retail boutique on Darby Street in Cooks Hill. After twenty years calling Cooks Hill home and outgrowing the space, the family decided it was time to think about the next move.

The beloved institution has completed this bold relocation and it’s more than just a change of address; it represents a significant expansion and a strategic step toward future growth.

“We’ve doubled our showroom space which has allowed us to showcase more designs and products.”

The new showroom, which opened in June, has been over three years in the making, and offers double the space of their previous location. This expansion allows Whitakers to display a broader range of their jewellery designs, enhancing their reputation as a destination for bridal jewellery.

The increased space makes quite the impact with those huge ceilings and flooding of natural light, and not only allows for a more extensive display but also paves the way for potential on-site manufacturing and assembly.

Despite the challenges of such a significant transition, the team ensured a seamless changeover from Cooks Hill to Charlestown. The new location offers ample parking and easy access, addressing previous concerns and enhancing customer convenience.

“For us, it was time for Whitakers Jewellers to move. Here on the highway in Charlestown, we’ve got unreal exposure.”

The build was completed alongside local building group, Insight Building Services, with every detail meticulously thought out. From the carefully chosen lighting fixtures to the Swedish third-generation wallpaper that adorns the feature wall on the right side – every element has been thoughtfully considered.

“The final piece of our design puzzle was that wall. We didn’t know what we needed to do to make it pop. We didn’t want it to just be a white wall and then we went down the route of wallpaper. It is a mural, but it’s in wallpaper format,” Eden said.

The Whitakers Jewellers’ legacy remains strong and continues to specialise in bridal, custom design, and fine jewellery. In its bridal range alone, Whitakers has over 1,200 engagement ring designs, 350 wedding and eternity bands, and 700 men’s rings.

In addition to their extensive bridal collection, Whitakers offers a wide array of diamond, coloured gemstone, and gold jewellery pieces available for purchase in-store, providing customers with countless options to find their timeless pieces.

“We encourage people to chop and change and modify to make the piece unique to them. With our use of computer-aided designs, it gives you that complete flexibility.”

The move to Charlestown marks an exciting new chapter for Whitakers Jewellers. With its expanded showroom, strategic location, and continued dedication to quality and innovation, Whitakers is well-positioned to continue for the next 100+ years.