At 66-years-old, Charlie Dalton, the long-time owner of Ralph Austin Jewelers, has decided to hit the “retire” button, so he’s turning over the keys of the Lakewood jewelry and watch-repair store.
Jewelers Robert Milke and his son, Tanner Milke, have bought the business from Dalton and plan to remodel the location, which was founded in 1966 by Dalton’s father-in-law.
Milke, who owns Milke Jewelers in Duncanville, plans to start the remodel on Feb. 15, right after Valentine’s Day.
He has already installed new ceiling tiles, and he plans to strip the old carpet and tile the floors as well. Milke also plans to retexture the walls, redo some of the indoor windows and replace the old display cases.
“He plans to be here for a while,” Dalton says, “and he’s got a really nice store out in Duncanville.”
Which, of course, is why Dalton trusts Milke to carry on the Ralph Austin Jewelers name.
