Jack Pilatowicz, owner of the Jewellery Box located at the Forest Lake Shopping Centre, is preparing to celebrate two years serving Forest Lake locals during the first two weeks of May.
The Jewellery Box was recently nominated for the Inala Electorate Small Business Awards, which voting will close for on April 21. The winners will be announced for in The Lake News June edition and also on MP Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Facebook page in June.
Jack bought the business, which had previously been running for about 20 years, from Pascoe’s in May 2021.
“When I took the business I took the business also with the remaining staff – the girls who worked for the previous owners had a tremendous amount of experience,” he said.
“At the end of the day it’s a combination of service and experience which the customers appreciate.”
Jack said another reason customers appreciated The Jewellery Box was because they could have their jewellery repaired by an on-site jeweller within a few hours.
“I’ve been a jeweller for 35 years, and I’m a master jeweller by trade,” he said.
“Most of the services are done while [customers] are actually shopping – so a person can go to Coles or Woolies and come back in half an hour,” he said.
To celebrate two years of ownership, The Jewellery Box will run an anniversary celebration combined with Mothers Day from May 1- May 14, which will include giveaways of treats, gifts and promotions for customers.
“We have really big support from the locals here in Forest Lake,” he said.
“We really thank the people who are supporting us and want to give back to them as well.”
Born in Poland, Jack lived in South Africa for a few years before moving to Australia in 2005. He worked for a few larger jewellery companies before purchasing The Jewellery Box on May 6 2021.
“It’s been a journey, that’s for sure. Wiithout the right people in the right place, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” Jack said.
The store sells a large range of jewellery including gold jewellery, silver jewellery, diamond jewellery and big brands including Pandora and Ellani.
Jack said he was humbled to be nominated for the Inala Electorate Small Business Awards.
“To be nominated for an award, in terms of recognition, is something really special,” he said.
“It’s an achievement to know someone has been watching you and think you are doing the right thing.”
