The Bainbridge family has clearly been resident in the Marion area from before the turn of the century. They were early merchants and landowners. Their original retail location was the Bainbridge building which was a three story building on the west side of the square next to west main street. The building was demolished in 1913 to build the Marion State and Savings Bank which later in the 1930’s became the Hotel State building that still stands today. The families jewelry and optical business was moved to the southwest corner of the Public Square next to the Orpheum Theater where it remained until closing in 1997. After the closing of their store the entire block was later cleared to make way for the new Marion Cultural Civic Center. (Photos courtesy of the Williamson County Historical Society and MHS class yearbooks)
The following article is taken from the Sesquicentennial History Souvenir booklet written in 1989.
“Like the thousands of watches and clocks it has sold, the Bainbridge Jewelry Co. of Marion knows a thing or two about time. The jewelry store at 800 Tower Square Plaza in Marion has been operated continuously by members of the same Williamson County pioneer family for 107 years.
The 107 year history doesn’t even include more than 20 years which the first Bainbridge storekeeper in Marion, John B Bainbridge operated a general store at the current location on Tower Square of the Citadel Building. Bainbridge family members in Marion trace their history to John B. Bainbridge, one of the sons of a pioneer family which settled in a small community bearing the Bainbridge name three miles east of Marion. John B. Bainbridge was the only son of the family to stay in the area, becoming a prominent storekeeper, bank director, and state representative. His son, James A. Bainbridge, followed a different path into the merchant class.
After attending a school for jewelers, he founded the original Bainbridge Jewelry store in 1882 on the courthouse square in Marion. For a time, Marion could count two Bainbridge Jewelry stores on the square, according to Bill Bainbridge, longtime owner of the store and the father of current owner Charlotte Bainbridge Cash. James Bainbridge decided to retire and sold the store to a son Lawrence in 1913.
But James Bainbridge soon became restless in retirement and opened a second store of his own. After another false retirement, he reopened the store. When he finally did retire for good Lawrence operated both stores. Bill Bainbridge worked for his father, Lawrence, for more than 10 years before purchasing the store in 1954. He remains active as a part time employee seven years after selling the business lo his daughter.
Like a fine watch, the jewelry store has scarcely missed a beat over the years. Even during the Depression, Bill recalls that his father’s sideline as an optometrist helped keep the business profitable. “At times, we employed three watchmakers on the premises,” said Bill, who is now 67. Bill Bainbridge offers proof that a jeweler’s art gets in his blood. Despite a difficult bout with cancer Bainbridge still performs repair work when he is not traveling. Despite many remodeling’s including one earlier this year, the store hasn’t given in to the “chrome and glass” styles of other modern jewelry stores. Decorations in the shop include a pendulum clock given away as an advertising device by Lawrence Bainbridge, bearing the inscription “L.H. Bainbridge Jeweler & Optometrist — Next to Orpheum, Marion, III.” The clock was returned by a church congregation in the Crab Orchard area, where it had kept time for decades. A stained glass window hung from the ceiling above the cash register advertises “Bainbridge Jewelry Store — Diamonds, Rubies, Pearls, Silverware, Cut Glass, Watches.”
Business methods have changed drastically over the years. An Apple computer has taken over the job of keeping books. Watchmaking, once a main ingredient of the business, has become less important. Later versions of the electronic watch have eliminated the need for hundreds of delicate parts. In the early days of his career Bill Bainbridge recalled watchmakers were expected to be able to make the pieces required for the delicate repairs if necessary.
Service after the sale has helped bring business back to the store for generations. Mrs. Cash says their success formula is “giving an honest piece of merchandise at an honest price and standing behind it.” But adaptation has also been a key. “We’ve adapted and tried to stay competitive, not only with the mall stores, but with the ladies clothing stores that sell costume jewelry.”
(1989 Sesquicentennial article written by Dave DeWitte of the Southern Illinoisan)