Making Change: Kaplans Fine Jewelry

For 41 years, Kaplans Fine Jewelry in downtown West Chester has helped people celebrate their lives and express their love. Ivan and Lisa Kaplan and their son Evan are committed to quality and to caring for their customers. “Our mission is to listen and translate our customers’ wishes and ideas into beautiful and enduring objects,” says Ivan.

The secret to their longevity as a small family-owned business is “nothing fancy,” says Ivan—a friendly smile, a listening ear, loyal customers they treat like family, and long hours of hard work and going the extra mile (once that meant delivering wedding bands in a snowstorm). “We love what we do,” says Evan. “We work nights and weekends to ensure every customer gets five-star treatment.”

Evan represents the third generation in the family business, and they’re honored to serve second and third generations of customers, too. Lisa loves seeing the longevity of Ivan’s handcrafted pieces. “He’s dedicated to his craft, spending countless hours crouched over a bench finishing every piece by hand.” She’s also proud of their son. “He’s learning and loving the business. He’s talented and very good at relating to clients and employees.”

The Kaplans are deeply rooted in the community, and giving back to numerous nonprofits, including SHiNE and the WCU Scholarship Fund, is an important part of their mission. Over the years, they’ve witnessed downtown West Chester’s transformation. When they bought their building in 1993, Lisa says, “Market Street might as well have been Siberia.”

For the Kaplans, everything comes back to their customers. “We believe that every jewelry purchase is precious, no matter how much the piece costs,” says Lisa. “We treat everyone’s jewelry as though it were our own.”