Silver Shop to celebrate 25 years
Wallace – What seems more fitting for a small business in the Silver Valley than a shop exclusively selling silver?
The Idaho Silver Shop, tucked into the row of shops along the bustling Bank Street of Wallace, is preparing to celebrate 25 years in the valley, providing residents and visitors with high quality silver products, as well as a variety of unique gift items. The anniversary celebration is set to take place Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be served and prizes will be distributed.
The idea for a silver shop in the valley originated from Jon Cantamessa in 1985, at the boom of the silver industry, and became reality once his wife Iris took the concept and shaped it into the shop it is today.
It began as a store exclusively dealing in silver products, including silver bullion, using silver mined in the valley. But due to the constant flux of the price of silver, selling bullion became more of a hassle and a frustration than feasible for the growing shop and the product was dropped. Jewelry also originally was manufactured on site, but with a decline in the price of silver the shop turned exclusively retail.
Other changes over the years include a move to their current location at 606 Bank St. in Wallace approximately eight years ago. At that time, they broadened their inventory to include gift items to compliment their highlighted silver products. Other precious metals have also been added to the inventory, including gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones, such as Idaho star garnets and opals.
“We felt that the community needed more,” Cantamessa said. “We’ve had a few lean times, but with the state of the economy in the valley we’ve held steadfast, largely due to our local customers that support us.”
