by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“When we found out one of the artists was going to do one completely covered in gemstones and pearls, we knew we had to pounce on the opportunity.”
That’s how Bill Barnett Jr. described Barnett Jewelers’ decision to sponsor one of the Otis Smith Kids Foundation’s “Big Cats for Kids.”
“It’s a great design and a great cause,” said Barnett. “We’re not a large company, but we decided to stretch a little bit. It’s nice to be able to invest something back into our community.”
He added that donating merchandise and time to local charitable and service organizations has always been part of the business plan.
“We donate items for fund-raising auctions and then donate our time to go to the events to show the jewelry,” he said.
Having the Big Cat installed in front of Independent Square, Barnett Jeweler’s home since the day the building opened in 1975, presented a marketing opportunity. Barnett said people can come in the store to guess how many pearls it took to cover the 9-foot-long feline that’s at the corner of Bay and Main and register to win a strand of pearls that will be given away Dec. 22.
“As an independent jeweler, we have to always be creative when it comes to marketing,” he said. “We decided to make it a game and have some fun with our Big Cat.”
The family behind the fourth-generation business has known about Smith and his foundation for years.
“We knew they were a great organization. When I was a kid, I even went to one of his basketball camps. Otis Smith taught me how to make a jump shot,” said Barnett.