The Jewell Box at Rosemont, Jewell, Georgia

 

“I went to a general store but they wouldn’t let me buy anything specific.”

Steven Wright

Driving down Georgia Piedmont Scenic Byway State Route 16, (yikes – what a mouthful), through the Georgia farmlands on quiet country roads, we found this gem of a store in the quaint town of Jewell, Georgia. This fully restored 1870’s mercantile store has served Jewell for over a hundred years providing the town with their basic needs. This weathered looking building sat on the side of the road with gingerbread around the charming front porch with red, white, and blue banners that enticed us to enter. There were beautiful flowers on either side of the steps leading up to the porch. The porch was perfectly set up with rocking chairs, checkers table, and pumpkins in place for fall making you want to sit and rest for a spell.

As we entered the shop, Lisa, the owner welcomed us. I felt like I just stepped back in time with the old original wooden floors and the shop set up in an old timey Victorian era décor. Walking around this shop there was an array of different and unique items to check out. The shop was set up beautifully with lovely displays throughout. There were candles, home décor, specialty foods, wine, beer, jelly's, fudge, baking mixes, collectibles, cards, honey, old time candy, ice cream, bait and tackle, and more. There was also a coffee, tea, and hot chocolate station set up so you could easily grab a cup of Joe and go. Scattered throughout the store were unique antiques, and gorgeous homemade quilts. What a fun shop to explore.

When this store was first opened, they specialized in selling and servicing wagons and buggies when it was owned by the Cason brothers. Around the turn of the century, they sold anything from flour to suits. During that time, cotton was brought to the store to be weighed and sold and continued all the way till the 1940’s. This store was known as the Bowen-Jewell Country Store from 1899-1905. This amazing shop has changed hands and names many times throughout the years but has kept its old fashioned charm.

This store fits right in with the quaint town of Jewell which lies half in Warren county and half in Hancock county separated by the Ogeechee River. The population of the town of Jewell which was also known as Jewells, Jewells Mills, Rock Factory, and Shivers, is only 78 people. Jewell was a mill village with a textile mill, grist mill, and an iron foundry at one time. Rumor has it that the town was spared during the Civil War in 1864 because the Federal Soldiers saw the Masonic symbol on the mills chimney.

As we walked out of the shop, we noticed three beautiful homes. Both were very ornate. One had beautiful gingerbread trim and the other looked like a colorful mosaic that accented the peaks of the home. They were both amazing homes. What a tranquil spot to live. There was also that small white building that appeared to have been a shop at one time. 

So if you are ever driving through the Georgia countryside and come across this fine, adorable Mercantile shop, the Jewell Box in Rosemont, stop in and say hi to Lisa. You won’t be sorry. It is one of a kind and an experience you will be glad you had. This wonderful store is located at 10746 Macon Hwy, Jewell, Georgia. Stop by, grab a coffee or soda and a snack, and check them out. You may just find that perfect gift you’ve been looking for.

                                                        Till next time. Bye for now.