Creek is the jeweler and he and his wife, Vicki, are co-owners of the store. The couple specializes in diamonds, gold and most of all, hometown service.
"Word of mouth is a big seller for us," said Vicki Creek. "More than half of our customers come from outside of Hancock ... some from as far away as Annapolis and the metropolitan area."
Wayne Creek said confidence is what keeps people coming back to a jewelry store. "We take our business very seriously," he said.
Another key to longevity in business is being able to read the public's changing wants, their likes and dislikes, and adapt with them, Wayne Creek said.
"Initially we sold Keepsake diamonds," he said. "We now work directly with the diamond cutters, which allows us to cut out the middlemen."
Over the years, Wayne Creek has gone to school and continues to educate himself in the finer points of his art. There have been classes in settings and how to work with platinum, gold and all kinds of precious stones.
"Restoration is very unique work and its popularity is growing," said Vicki Creek.
The Creeks keep detailed scrapbooks to show new customers the work Wayne Creek has done for current customers.
Turning family heirloom pins, rings, and even earrings into pendants is also big business. The Creek scrapbooks are loaded with before and after pictures showing how older jewelry items can be adapted to suit a new generation of wearers.
Charms are still popular but not for hanging from bracelets like they used to be. Now customers often have pendants made from favorite charms, Vicki Creek said.
"Tennis bracelets are also big sellers, as are most of the colored stones available today," she said.
Watches are still sold at Creek's as well as gold chains and all manner of diamonds. And sterling silver with diamonds is enjoying a heyday.
The 55th anniversary celebration comes to a conclusion on Saturday, Oct. 4, when there will be a drawing for a number of prizes. First prize is, appropriately, a 55-point diamond ring custom-designed by Wayne Creek.
Although not born to the business, Vicki Creek married into it when she exchanged rings with Wayne Creek 30 years ago. "We were high school sweethearts."
They have two daughters, Autumn Ott, 26, who has two daughters, ages 5 and 2; and Janelle Cataldo, 24, who teaches at Hagerstown Business College.
