T.K. Dodrill Jewelers marks 40 years of service in the heart of Huntington.
By Shelly Ridgeway
HQ 128 | Winter 2025
For four decades, T.K. Dodrill Jewelers has been a beloved fixture in downtown Huntington. To say it had humble beginnings would be an understatement, given the idea came about while owner Thomas Kirk Dodrill, who goes by Kirk, was still an undergraduate business student at Marshall University. Back then, he was working part time for another well-established downtown jewelry store as a jewelry repair technician.
The store offers a range of services, including repairs, appraisals and custom designs, making it a comprehensive resource for all things jewelry. Advances in technology allow for computer imaging design to be done at the store, providing customers with a realistic view of their custom orders.
T.K. Dodrill’s commitment to the community extends beyond its storefront, as it is regularly involved in local charities and special events, solidifying its status as a trusted business partner in downtown Huntington.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Dodrill said his longtime passion for gemstones fueled his decision to become the owner of a jewelry store.
“I always had a vision to open my own store, and I knew that I did not want it to be in a mall,” he said.
After college graduation and following a brief stint working for a jeweler in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he gained more knowledge and experience about the industry, Dodrill returned to Huntington to pursue his dream. He soon learned about a group of retired men who helped small business owners get started and was able to secure $50,000 in initial funding.
When he opened T.K. Dodrill Jewelers on Nov. 3, 1984, it was situated on the Ninth Street Plaza in a space formerly occupied by a national jewelry retailer. The plaza, which was closed to automobiles and relied on foot traffic for access, added a layer of uncertainty to Dodrill’s venture — especially in a downtown where nearly a dozen jewelry stores already vied for customers.
Still, Dodrill remained undeterred.
“I was going to make it work, no matter what,” he said.
Dodrill had more than friendly competition to overcome: there was also a challenging local economy that impacted the growth of new business in the city.
“In 1984, interest rates were hitting somewhere between 16 and 18%,” recalled Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, who at that time was Huntington’s city manager. “This was long before local investors began pouring money into abandoned buildings and other commercial enterprises.”
Huntington residents of a certain era will remember the stalled vision for a “Superblock” of retail establishments meant to fill the blocks between Third and Fifth avenues and Eighth and Tenth streets. The concept was part of a larger urban renewal effort aimed at modernizing and revitalizing downtown Huntington to support economic growth and create a more centralized commercial area. It was a much-talked-about project that eventually led to what we now enjoy as Pullman Square, which became home to T.K. Dodrill Jewelers some 10 years after construction was complete.
Being situated on the corner of Pullman Square’s main section, directly facing the center of the property, was a game changer for the jeweler.
“I knew this location would allow me to take the business to the next level,” Dodrill said. “Our foot traffic now accounts for as much as 50-70% of our business.”
Since 1984, the store has been a go-to destination for engagement rings, anniversary gifts and special-occasion jewelry, building a reputation for personalized care and expertise.
Even after all these years, Dodrill still remembers his first big sale. In the summer of 1985, a customer visited the store after her 2-carat marquise diamond ring was stolen. She wanted to replace it and add some side stones. Armed with his degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Dodrill helped her navigate the choices with a focus on quality and her preferences — an early example of the customer care that would distinguish him in the crowded field of jewelry sellers.
“We educate the customer and are deliberate about bringing in new pieces,” Dodrill explained. “You sell them on your trust. Repeat business is truly the best business — and it begins from the first customer interaction.”
Williams, who purchased his wife Mary’s engagement ring from T.K. Dodrill nearly 30 years ago, praised Dodrill’s unmatched customer service, emphasizing how essential local businesses and entrepreneurship are to the city’s overall success.
“Kirk’s willingness to take a chance on the community all those years ago was a first indication of what could be done when local folks invest in Huntington,” Williams said.
Early into the pandemic years, when many businesses struggled with limited customer access and shutdowns, the City of Huntington approved a lifeline measure designed to help local businesses survive: the elimination of the Business & Occupation (B&O) Tax. To this end, businesses like T.K. Dodrill not only survived the pandemic but also continue to thrive today.
“What began as a pilot project to help our local business community actually resulted in an increase in sales tax revenue that eclipsed the money we would have collected from the now-defunct B&O Tax,” said Williams.
These days, much of T.K. Dodrill’s core business involves custom design work, bridal rings and bands and specialty fashion jewelry. Not surprisingly, it is often the first choice for Marshall students seeking unique jewelry or planning to get married. Sometimes, students are looking for part-time work, just as Dodrill was while earning his business degree. A former store employee who earned his business degree at Marshall eventually became president of the American Gem Society (AGS), a trade association dedicated to upholding high standards in the jewelry industry.
The former student, continuing to excel in the field after his time in Huntington, remains in touch with Dodrill.
As is the case with many family-owned and operated businesses, a succession plan can weigh heavily on the mind and heart of a business owner. However, Dodrill isn’t too worried. Both of his daughters have worked at the store over the years, and his son Thomas is preparing to take the helm when Dodrill is ready to step away from day-to-day operations. Thomas has earned his certification as an Applied Jewelry Professional and will pursue his degree in gemology next.
“If another generation carries through, that would be great,” Dodrill said.
Williams said Huntington has experienced a resurgence of its local business community, due largely to what the community has been able to do for itself.
“Whenever Huntington has depended on money to come from the outside, we haven’t always found our footing,” Williams explained. “The real success comes when we do it for ourselves, and T.K. Dodrill is a perfect example of this.”
Long before it was named the “Jewel City,” Huntington was commonly known as the “We Will City,” Williams said, a title that spoke to a spirit of collective resolve. With dazzling jewelry and steadfast civic pride, T.K. Dodrill embodies both names.
As T.K. Dodrill Jewelers celebrates 40 years of excellence in providing high-quality jewelry and exceptional customer service, Dodrill said his formula for longevity and success is actually fairly simple: “We get the customer what they want and offer the best quality at a good value.”
