By Mike Steely
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Jamie Smith is surrounded by family in his Gold Smiths store at 7811 Oak Ridge Highway in Karns. His dad and mom, Mickey and Faye, help out in the store as does his sister Mellissa. Jamie’s wife, Jacqueline, says she lends moral support.
The Smiths buy and sell all kinds of U.S. coins as well as all types of jewelry; the shop can even repair your jewelry or design new pieces for you. Jamie can help you design your special engagement ring or jewelry for far less than most.
“There was a young girl who came in with no idea of what she wanted as an engagement ring. She wanted some specific details and left the store happy. I can usually create something within a week’s time, depending on the availability of diamonds,” he said.
Jamie said that coin collecting, a passion of his for more than 20 years, gives people a sense of history while preserving it at the same time.
Opening in August of last year Jamie took a year off of his personal ministry to get the shop going.
Karns Gold Smith’s opened in August, 2013. Jamie has taken a year off from his personal ministry to get the shop going, but is ready to return this fall.
His in-school ministry is known as “Get Real Outreach.” His mission is to bridge the gap between parents and teens.
“That door opened to me six years ago and I’m blessed to go into alternative schools. I share my past and life lessons with (the children) to develop relationships. They open up and share things with each other they normally would not talk about,” he said.
Jamie has taken former Vol football and basketball players with him into the schools for assemblies and to speak in smaller classrooms as well.
Karns Gold Smith’s offers layaways, free professional evaluations, and is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
You can reach the store by calling 227-0369 or 803-8021, or email karnsgoldsmiths@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
Photo by mike steely
Jamie Smith stands at the counter of Karns Gold Smiths with his father, mother and wife behind him. The Karns store offers not only coins and jewelry but jewelry design.
