A Sparkling Birthday on Sparkling Sanibel

Although we are a bit late with our greetings, we did want to extend a happy anniversary wish.

Lily & Co. Jewelers just celebrated eight years as America's "Coolest Jewelry Store" with the opening of its certified pre-owned Rolex Watch Boutique, the latest "Sea the Islands" collection, and a glass-encased design center planned for a September 1 opening.

According  to co-owner Dan Schulyer: "It has been a thrilling journey since we opened our doors in July 2006," said Schuyler, co-owner with Sanibel realtor Karen Bell. True to Island pet friendly attitude, the firm is named after Bell's dog who is pictured in many of their special promotions. "We are grateful for the success of the past eight years. It is due to our jewelry designer partnerships, faithful guests and Sanibel-Captiva residents, who have continually supported us throughout these eight years. They have made us who are today."

Co-owner Sanibel realtor Karen Bell and Schulyer have worked hard to make this island gem stand out.  Voted "Coolest Jewelry Store" in the nation by INSTORE magazine. Today, it has garnered national recognition as a "5 Designer Retailer" awarded by Jewelers Circular Keystone (JCK), as well as named a "5 Star Store." It earned the "Top Dog Award" from the 2011 Smart Show in Chicago. Locally, it has received "Best of the Islands" for seven consecutive years.

Schuyler and Bell are veterans in business: Bell in real estate, Schuyler in the jewelry industry. He started in the industry at age 17. The store on Tarpon Bay in Sanibel has had many lives.  It is a former schoolhouse, doctor's office and bank that opened in 1915 as church owned by the Florida Baptist Convention of Jacksonville. Bell handled the re-design of the building that had sat vacant, Schuyler the merchandise, he said. The company carries some 25 lines of jewelry.

A side benefit to the community has been Lily & Co.'s charitable work. The firm last year gave some $260,000 of in-kind donations, including its hosting of several large fund-raisers. The Animal Rescue Center in Fort Myers is a focus of the firm's donations. The most recent funder for the shelter raised $13,000. "Because of our friends and guests," Schuyler said, "we been allowed to give back a tremendous amount. Life is not always about money, it's about trying to live full circle, to build something to be proud of."

And so we wish Lily and all the humans involved, a very, very  bright future!