For Louie and Pam Schwicker, NOFO Jewelers (10095 Main Road, Mattituck) brings together two longtime interests: jewelry and sports memorabilia.
The business, which opened in Mattituck Plaza in July, offers custom jewelry, repairs and watch services, along with a collection of sports-related collectibles.
Louie, who grew up on the North Fork and now lives in Mattituck with Pam, has worked in the jewelry industry for about 40 years. The couple previously ran Goldust & Rouge Inc. in Kennebunk, Maine, for 28 years before retiring for three years. Louie eventually decided to return to work and open a store in the community where he grew up.
His career began unexpectedly at age 22, when he was hitchhiking and someone in the jewelry business gave him a ride. Before that, he had worked as a graphic artist, designing T-shirt logos and other graphics.
“It’s not an easy occupation,” Louie says. It’s really becoming a lost art.”
At NOFO Jewelers, Louie works with gold, silver and platinum, creating custom pieces and repairing existing jewelry. He also collaborates with customers who want to bring their own ideas to life or transform an existing piece into something new.
The workbench is positioned so customers can watch him work. Louie enjoys working in front of customers, including setting diamonds and crafting individual pieces.
The store also offers jewelry appraisals and estate work. Louie and Pam help customers examine inherited collections, identify which pieces may be valuable, and consider whether jewelry can be repaired or repurposed. They also share advice on cleaning and wearing jewelry.
Pam selects silver jewelry from vendors and trade shows, including Southwestern designs sourced in Arizona. The business also offers watch services, including battery changes.
“Our motto is our solid gold commitment to customer service,” Pam says.
On the other side sports memorabilia for sale reflects Louie’s passion, rooted in his years playing baseball from childhood through age 30. His inventory includes vintage sports items, autographs and game-used equipment. Among the pieces on display are bats associated with Mike Trout and Cal Ripken, as well as game-used items connected to Aaron Judge.
Two regular visitors add another familiar presence to the store: Lucy and Charlie. The couple’s dogs often accompany them and have drawn customers. During their years in Maine, some visitors came to the store specifically to see the dogs.
The business also brings Louie back to the North Fork, where family history remains important to him. His grandfather and great-grandfather were merchants in Southold.
