Founder & Owner of Perry’s Emporium
Alan has been in the jewelry business for over 35 years, and says he still doesn’t get tired of coming to work.
Alan’s passion for jewelry began at the age of 16, when his brother, Ernie, helped him land a job at “The Jewel Box” in his hometown of Charlotte. He started by simply polishing, cleaning and engraving. At 17, the baby of six in the Perry family (Alan has 3 brothers and 2 sisters) took off to New York City by himself to earn his Graduate Gemologist Degree.
Alan spent two years co-managing and appraising for “The Jewel Box” in Panama City, FL, and another two years buying and grading diamonds at “Carlyle” in Greensboro. Then, he decided to return to Charlotte for an opportunity to open his own store, along with two of his brothers. This was the first Perry’s Jewelry Store for the Perry family (which his brother, Ernie, still owns and operates to this day).
After over 10 years of co-ownership with his brothers in Charlotte, Alan moved to the coast to open his own “Perry’s Emporium” inside the Independence Mall in Wilmington. From there, the store has grown out of the mall into what it is today… the largest jewelry store in Southeastern North Carolina and beyond! “I’m always striving to be #1,” says Alan.
Now that he has his own line of wedding bands, and just unveiled his own ”Perry’s Forever Hearts” diamond collection, Alan is thinking about what’s next… maybe an auction gallery… pursuing his passion for antiques… or some other type of business… who knows?
The one thing Alan does know, and says on a regular basis is… “I’m just tickled to be so blessed! I have 3 beautiful, healthy children that I am so proud of! And, I’ve made a career out of my passion. I AM A BLESSED MAN!”
