Jeweler moving back into Woodstock Square space under rebranded name Studio D

A jewelry store familiar to the historic Woodstock Square is returning to the city's central business district under a new name.

Studio 2015 Jewelers, which relocated from the square to 11701 Catalpa Lane 12 years ago, is moving back downtown into the storefront at 118 N. Benton St., which the Revolution Youth Center affiliated with the Woodstock Bible Church had been using.

The jewelry business will operate under a new name in the square location, Studio D Jewelers.

“Studio as an entity, and the Dougherty Family, have been a huge part of the Woodstock business and community landscape for over four decades,” Wayne Read, president of Dougherty Enterprises, which operates the business, said in a news release. “Studio D Jewelers has significance by not only acknowledging the legacy of the family name but also symbolizes the highest possible color grade for a diamond – reflecting the focus on quality that is built into our DNA.”

The layout of the new location is "going to be even more inviting to everyone,” Tracy Gibson, manager of Studio D Jewelers, said in the release. It will have what is called "a Play Area" where customers allow be allowed to touch and feel pieces for themselves.

"[We’re] very mindful of the timing and will be taking great care of our visitors with hand sanitizer all around the store, regular intense cleanings, and all of our team members are masked and have temperature checks," Gibson said in the release. "We’ll continue to offer the highest level of welcoming service, whether you are looking to create a custom piece with one of our artisan jewelers, make a purchase from one of our hand-selected vendor lines, or have a repair done in-house. We are excited to be an even bigger part of the Woodstock community.”

The Studio 2015 space on Catalpa Lane will remain open through the holiday season, according to the release.

It eventually will become home to the headquarters of Thumbers, a local business that makes memorial jewelry also operated by Dougherty Enterprises, Read said in an interview. There are also plans to begin using it for a new food concept the company wants to explore that could involve selling smoked meats and sandwiches and an engineering incubator workspace also is being looked at for the space.

The Benton Street location will open up later this month, in time for Thursday Ladies' Nights Out shopping events during the lead up to Christmas hosted by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce.

While those events are normally "shop and sip" and involve stops in the local bars, that aspect is not included this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Danielle Gulli, the chamber's president. Organizers were hoping to be able to allow shoppers on Thursdays to open carry alcoholic and other beverages on the square, but that plan has been called off as the virus caseload locally has risen recently, Gulli said.

Inquiries into whether the youth center currently using the Benton Street space has relocated or will find a new location had not been returned as of Sunday morning.