Perhaps one of the coolest things about the Wyandotte Street Art Fair is the incredible variety of original artwork on display. Visitors stroll through rows of paintings, pottery, photography, handcrafted décor, and jewelry, all created by talented artists from across the region and nation. Jewelry booths, in particular, always attract attention with sparkling gemstones, handcrafted silver, unique watches, and one-of-a-kind wearable art.

But long before the art fair transformed downtown Wyandotte into an open-air gallery, the only place to purchase fine jewelry in the city was through Wyandotte’s jewelry shops. These businesses helped shape the city’s commercial identity and served generations of residents long before festival vendors lined Biddle Avenue each summer.

According to the 1872 business directory, the only jewelry shop in Wyandotte at the time was A.F. Crongeyer, located at 74 Biddle Avenue. For many years, Crongeyer remained the city’s lone jeweler, serving local residents with watches, jewelry repairs and fine accessories during a period when Wyandotte itself was still rapidly growing. It would not be until 1898 that another jeweler entered the scene when the J.S. McGlaughlin Jewelry Store opened its doors.

By 1907, the jewelry business in Wyandotte had become much more competitive. Milkins Jewelry Shop at 20 Biddle Avenue and W.H. Skeman at 51 Biddle Avenue joined the growing downtown business district. These stores reflected the prosperity and expansion of Wyandotte during the early 20th century, when Biddle Avenue served as the bustling center of commerce for the community.

One of the most notable jewelers in the city’s history was Archibald Milkins, who opened his shop in 1905. In 1919, Milkins relocated his business to 3160 Biddle Avenue. By the 1920s, the business was listed not only as a jewelry store but also as an optician shop. At the time, this combination was surprisingly common. Jewelers often possessed the fine precision skills and specialized tools necessary to repair and fit eyeglasses, making them natural providers of optical services as well. The detailed craftsmanship required to repair watches and set gemstones translated well into adjusting lenses and frames.

Milkins was not alone in offering both jewelry and optical services. Clay Reynolds also operated as both a jeweler and optician. Reynolds became especially well known for the beautiful clocks sold in the store as well as the impressive woodwork craftsmanship associated with many of the pieces.

Stores like Milkins and Reynolds represented a time when local businesses combined artistry, technical skill and personal service under one roof. Another jewelry store fondly remembered by longtime residents was Samelson’s Jewelry. David Samelson opened his store in the 1930s. He dedicated more than 55 years of his life to working as a jeweler in Wyandotte and became a familiar figure in the downtown business community. Following his death on Valentine’s Day in 1975, the store remained open into the 1990s.

Today, while many of Wyandotte’s historic jewelry stores have faded into memory, their legacy still shines through the city’s appreciation for craftsmanship and artistry. Every summer, the Wyandotte Street Art Fair continues that tradition by bringing jewelers, artists and creators back to Biddle Avenue, the very same street where generations of jewelers once built their businesses.

The fair not only celebrates modern creativity but also serves as a reminder of the talented artisans and merchants who helped shape Wyandotte’s history long before the first art tent was ever raised.