By: Shandra Martinez
The jewelry store has evolved while preserving family legacy and craftsmanship.
Milkins Jewelers began with a dream and a $50 investment.
In 1905, Archibald Burdette Milkins opened a small jewelry store in Wyandotte, along the Detroit River. His great-granddaughter and current owner, Lesley Milkins-Alban, isn’t sure what drew him to the jewelry business.
“He just decided that’s what he wanted to do for a living,” Milkins- Alban said. “So he invested in himself and the business, and from there, it has continued for generations.”
The store remains a family operation. Milkins-Alban was recently joined by her daughter, Skylar, 22, the fifth generation to carry on the family legacy.
“She’s been with the business for two years now and is already learning so much,” Milkins-Alban said. “She’s come into it early, and I feel like she’s going to be ahead of the game.”
Blends tradition, modern thinking
This year, Milkins Jewelers, which has operated in nearly the same location for most of its history, celebrates its 120th anniversary. Milkins-Alban credits the store’s longevity to a commitment to excellence and the ability to evolve with the times.
“We specialize more in custom pieces now,” she said. “With technology and social media, customers have endless inspiration from pictures and ideas. They come in with a vision, and we help bring it to life. We’ve always been customer-focused, but now, more than ever, we tailor each piece to their specific desires.”
Milkins-Alban formally joined the business in 2006 after a career in education.
“I was always around the store growing up,” she said. “I worked during college breaks, but I didn’t know I wanted to be part of it full-time until later. After traveling for my husband’s job for a decade, I started taking gemology courses and fell in love with the field.”
Since relocating just a few blocks to its current location in 1915, Milkins Jewelers has remained a fixture in downtown Wyandotte. The historic building retains much of its original charm.
“We’re in a very old building with original brickwork and some historic equipment stored in the basement,” Milkins-Alban said. “We’re in the process of updating our electrical system, but we love preserving the character of the space.”
Keeping up with trends
The store has evolved over the decades.
“At one point, we sold more than just jewelry,” she said. “We carried crystal, china, servingware, figurines, and picture frames. People could even register here for wedding gifts. Now, we focus more on custom jewelry and personalized pieces, reflecting how shopping habits have changed.”
That connection to history remains central to the business.
“Jewelry is like fashion – it’s always changing,” Milkins-Alban said. “Trends don’t shift as quickly as clothing, but styles come and go in cycles. Right now, we’re seeing a big ’80s influence.”
Herringbone chains, yellow gold, and heavier pieces are back in style, she said.
“I’m sure the people who held onto those pieces for decades are thrilled,” she added. “Or maybe they’ve passed them down to a grandchild, which makes it even more special.”
Milkins Jewelers has been featured in exhibits at the Wyandotte Museum.
“Our historical society does a great job,” Milkins-Alban said. “We’ve had some nice write-ups and contributed what knowledge and items we have when we can.”
Customers often share stories of how Milkins Jewelers has been part of their family history.
L-R) Skylar Alban, Ann Christie, Lesley Milkins-Alban
“We have multigenerational customers who come in with their grandparents’ rings,” Milkins-Alban said. “Some want to keep them as they are, while others want to repurpose the stones into modern settings. One of my favorite stories is about two sisters who inherited their mother’s diamond but couldn’t agree on a setting. They decided to reset the diamond every six months so they could take turns wearing it. It was a beautiful way to share their mother’s legacy.”
Another memorable moment came when a customer wanted to verify whether an old ring had been purchased at Milkins Jewelers. “We have handwritten record books dating back to the 1920s,” Milkins-Alban said. “It takes time to go through them, but we found the original purchase record. It’s always rewarding to help connect people to their past.”
Pieces of Milkins history have surfaced in unexpected places.
“A few years ago, someone remodeling their home found a Milkins Jewelers calendar from 1926 inside their walls,” she said. “It had been tucked away for nearly a century, perfectly preserved. We occasionally display it in the store, along with some of our antique ring boxes from different eras.”
Part of special moments
For Milkins-Alban, jewelry is more than just an accessory; it holds memories and meaning.
“I have a few pieces from my grandmother, who passed away,” she said. “Those diamonds are mounted in a pendant, and I have some gold pieces from her as well.”
She loves when customers bring in heirloom pieces with sentimental stories.
“We just resized a wedding ring for a woman who inherited it from her grandmother,” she said. “When I think of my grandma, I think of that ring on her finger. It’s those moments that make this job so special.”
The store also enjoys being part of engagements.
“We always joke about it because we get so connected to the guy buying the ring,” Milkins-Alban said. “We learn all about his proposal plans, when they’re getting married, then we see them about a year later for wedding bands. After that, sometimes we don’t see them for a while, until they need a baby gift. We always wonder, ‘When will we see them again?’”
Part of the jewelry store’s long history is its 50-year membership with the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA). It’s a partnership Milkins-Alban values.
“The MRA does such a great job of keeping us informed,” she said. “I always enjoy reading the monthly newsletter. They keep us up to date on business issues and legislation. Plus, they offer benefits like group health insurance and credit card processing. It’s just a great resource to have.”
As Milkins Jewelers continues into its second century, its focus remains on honoring its legacy while embracing modern advancements.
“Technology is the biggest thing we have to stay on top of,” Milkins-Alban said. “We’ve implemented Computer-Aided Design programs so customers can design their pieces alongside us. It makes the experience more personal and interactive.”
Despite the changes, the store’s commitment to customer service remains the same.
“The relationships we’ve built over the years are what make this job so special,” she said. “We get to be part of some of the most important moments in people’s lives like engagements, anniversaries, and family heirlooms being passed down. It’s a privilege to be trusted with those memories.”
As the business celebrates its 120th year, the Milkins family remains dedicated to carrying on the traditions that have made them a trusted name in jewelry for generations.
“We will continue to provide great service, and the customer is always our first priority,” Milkins-Alban said. “That’s what has kept us here for more than a century, and it’s what will keep us here for years to come.”
