Photo by Joselyn King – Samuel Posin, left, and Joan Berlow-Smith, co-owners of The Jeweled Bird in Woodsdale, show off some of the items available for sale at the store.

WHEELING – Yes, the Jeweled Bird jewelry and gift shop is open this holiday season. Just ring the doorbell and wear a mask to enter.

In a current world that sometimes can be scary, the store strives to be somewhere customers can find solace — as well items they need, or just see and desire for themselves or others.

“Everybody says it is their happy place,” co-owner Joan Berlow-Smith said. “When they want some shopping therapy, they come here.

“A lot of people feel more comfortable here. They feel safer here, rather than in the bigger stores. We’re out of the way, but we’re convenient. We’re a destination.”

Berlow-Smith co-owns The Jeweled Bird with Samuel Posin — a third-generation jeweler who has been in the jewelry business for more than 40 years. The Jeweled Bird opened seven years ago, selling gift items, new fine jewelry and estate jewelry.

It is located outside major shopping areas in a neighborhood at 136 Edgwood St. in Woodsdale, housed within a church constructed in 1932. Its stained glass windows and chandeliers work to create an intended ambience.

The idea is to create “a happy place” appealing to a customer’s sights, sounds and scents, according to Smith-Berlow. When the shop is not open, she can be found there fussing over displays and making certain all details are perfect.

Berlow-Smith explained the shop’s name The Jeweled Bird.

“I love birds. My passion is birds. And Samuel is all about jewelry. He has a strong jewelry background. And we love sparkle. When you put that together, we’re The Jeweled Bird.

“And our customers love sparkle. That’s what we have here.”

The shop’s main attraction, though, might be Posin’s respected jewelry experience.

As people clean out their drawers and find outdated jewelry items, they can bring it to Posin. He can redesign jewelry and repurpose it to a custom style. He also offers appraisal services.

Posin seeks to educate customers about their jewelry purposes.

“Knowledge is the one thing you can give away and still keep,” Posin said.

The store has an estate jewelry section, a bridal section and a men’s jewelry section.

The gift department, meanwhile, contains luxury bath and body products, nature-themed “whimsical” gifts, trending hostess charcuterie and tabletop accents, candles and seasonal gifts.

The shop also opened a baby gift section this year, featuring clothing and other designer items for infants. There is also a men’s bath and body section, and the shop also offers layaway and financing options.

Berlow-Smith and Posin said they laugh and cry with their customers, and become their friends.

“We are in a happy business,” Posin said. “If I have a sad disappointed customer, I’m more upset than they are.”