Local Business Spotlight - Ellie Thompson + Co
Meet Ellie Thompson, owner of Ellie Thompson + Co. She is an accomplished jewelry maker and avid biker, finding that biking helps feed her creativity. One thing many people don’t know about her store is that she loves teaching people about rocks and gemstones, and has a special drawer in her shop for children to pick from and start their own rock collections. Read on to learn more!
Give us a small backstory of how your business started.
I am a native of New England and first worked for British goldsmith, Derek Simpson in New Haven, Connecticut in the late 1980s. It was in that small shop that I first became acquainted with the world of gemstones and the craft of creating fine jewelry. I loved both the art and the science of jewelry. I founded my first company, The Chicago Gem Lab, Inc. in 1991, providing gemological and jewelry appraisal services. I consulted for decades to many auction houses including Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Sotheby’s, Christies, Butterfields, and Heritage Auctions, and appeared on over 200 episodes of the HGTV programs, At the Auction with Leslie Hindman and The Appraisal Fair.
As a designer with my own manufacturing firm, I won numerous awards for my innovative use of precious colored gemstones and metals. I learned the prestigious Spectrum Award three times and the American Vision Award twice as well as accolades from World Gold Council and Platinum Guild International. In 2000, I was awarded First Prize in the American Jewelry Design Council's New Talent Competition, an award that launched me into the national spotlight. I have sold my work nationwide to retailers and galleries of fine jewelry.
In Chicago, I am honored to have two necklaces featured in the Grainger Hall of Gems at The Field Museum. Out west, my buckles have been honored annually since 2016 in the C.M. Russell Museum Exhibit and Auction in Great Falls, Montana. In 2015 and 2017 I was honored with awards by The Western Design Conference in Jackson, Wyoming.
The opening of my flagship retail shop in Roscoe Village marks my first storefront in Chicago. I am excited to be part of the vibrant Roscoe Village community and the greater Lakeview business area.
What are some of your favorite moments of running your business?
Winning my first Spectrum Award was a huge validation. A sign that I was on the right path, that I could make my mark designing beautiful things for people. I realized that the jewelry people chose to live their lives in is deeply meaningful. Jewelry expresses personal style. It holds hopes, dreams and memories. It provides an everyday celebration. I feel so fortunate that I get to do this work, create these jewels for people.
What is one thing that many people may not know about you or your business?
I love rocks and gemstones. I really enjoy teaching people about them. I have a special drawer in the shop for children. They are invited to chose from the box to start their own rock collections. Right now, there are small geodes, cubes of pyrite and fluorite octahedrons in there. Most of my young collectors are ages 6-12.
Do you have any hobbies that you do outside of running your business?
I am an avid cyclist! I love mountain biking, and long road rides as well as commuting to work. I have been a brand ambassador for Specialized Bikes and Skratch Labs. I have been know to help customers with flat tires at the jewelry shop (call first!) (We have a bike repair shop in the basement).
What are some businesses you love in Lakeview or Roscoe Village?
There are so many! I’ve found wonderful shoes at A Pied, cozy sweaters at Cinnamon, the best leggings ever at Winnie Cooper, Kenneth Ludwig always has great gift items (I love my new wine glasses!), and Cubbington’s Cabinet has relaxing chocolates laced with CBD. The restaurants are amazing too! I love Le Sud of course, Volo’s back patio is wonderful. I often take brunch to work from John’s Place on Sundays. If you can’t find it in Lakeview or Roscoe Village, you don’t need it!!
What are the best ways people can support your business right now?
Stop in and say hello. Get to know what we offer. We are a full retail fine jewelry shop. I have designed beautiful earrings, rings, pendants and bracelets to wear and to give in pretty gemstones in sterling silver as well as gold and platinum. I offer appraisal services for insurance updates, repairs, and ring sizing. Custom design is my specialty. I enjoy helping people remake old jewelry into something they will enjoy wearing. I have remounted many of Grandma’s diamonds.
