John Michael Diamonds & Jewelry
Written by John’s sister, Carol Glorioso
The tribute memorial to John Michael Glorioso was amazing! “The family would like to thank the community and special people in John’s life for the generous donations and loving support that was given in our sad time and the planning of his memorial celebration of life. The outpouring of love as amazing!”
At just 19 years old, John started his business in a 500 square foot store very close to where the studio is now. His Sister Carol quit her job and joined John to build his dream. “We had 3 jewelry cases with nothing in them but a few 14K charms and a few rings. John would close the store at 5 pm every day to go to deliver pizzas from Domino’s just to make enough money to pay our rent of $500 a month.”
John was such a helpful, kind, honest guy whose business started gaining support from loyal customers who they still have today. “We expanded within the first one and a half years and remodeled to 1,000 square feet, then hired our first full time jeweler to do our repairs.” Continuing to build the business, they decided to open a second location in S Ft Myers in the Island Park Center. But after 5 years, they decided to close that location and concentrate on home, right on Cape Coral Parkway.
In 2004, Hurricane Charley destroyed the building and all the contents. The only thing not destroyed were the safes in which the beloved inventory was stored. “We ran our business out of a portable single wide trailer. Wow, that was crazy! After 3 months, we found a vacant building, still in Big John Plaza, so we wheeled everything down to the empty unit, and purchased new equipment.”
John was never happy with the new location; it didn’t have Cape Coral Parkway access, so they decided to really go big and finally remodeled the now current showroom where they have been for almost 4 years.
John Michael Diamond’s & Jewelry just celebrated their 30th year in business!
“We are saddened by the loss of John and his lust for life, but he will always be with us in spirit.”
Cape Coral lost a great man, customers lost a good friend, and the family lost a beloved member when John passed away in May after losing his battle with cancer. But John will continue to live on in spirit for all who knew him and John Michael Diamonds & Jewelry will continue to live out his dream.
