Lautares Jewelers

Integrity, Respect, & Service

Billy Pate and Patty Adams have worked side-by-side at Lautares Jewelers for many years and enjoy the relationships they have built with longtime customers. 

Lautares Jewelers is a local gem with owner Billy Pate and manager Patty Adams putting their heart and soul into the business for many decades – in Billy’s case, more than 50 years.  

Billy was hired in 1972 by George Lautares as a delivery boy when he was just 15 years old. He worked at the store through high school and during the summers. After two years of community college, Billy was invited to work full-time and apprentice with George to learn the business. He became a registered jeweler, certified gemologist, and sole owner in 2000. 

“He liked me and I liked him and coming to work here,” says Billy. “After I graduated from community college, he was trying to figure out a succession plan so that he could retire one day. He gave me some stock in the business.”  

George Lautares and wife, Esterre, both lived into their late 90s. Billy reflects on the humble beginnings of Lautares. “The store originally started with George’s dad and uncle, who opened a candy store and then a soda fountain in 1912. Eventually, they started selling cigarette lighters and watches. After WWII – George was a fighter pilot – he came back and went to watch-making school, and that’s how it evolved into a jewelry store.” 

Patty remembers first going into Lautares as a 7-year-old girl running errands with her mom. She knew the Lautares family, went to school with George’s nephew, and rode horses with his niece. When she was a sophomore at ECU, she applied for a part-time job and she and Billy have been working together ever since. 

“We’ve worked together for so long, we just know each other so well,” says Patty. “It’s just the best. We both have such a connection to the store because it’s been our whole life, and we have a connection to the Lautares family. I love the idea of it starting as an old-time mom-and-pop store, built from their hard work. The most important thing is that both Billy and I want it to be successful.” 

Billy has great respect for Patty as his store manager. “Patty runs the store, she knows the business so well. She knows everyone, all my customers. She IS the store. Most anything I sell can be bought online. The main thing we offer that you can’t get online is personal service. That’s where Patty is the most wonderful because she knows the people and what they like.” 

“I enjoy the relationships I have established with my customers,” says Patty. “When I had breast cancer, my customers were sending me cards and bringing me meals. They’re my customers but they’re also my friends.” 

Lautares Jewelers offers a wide variety of jewelry from collections and distinctive creations. 

They found a similar feeling at TowneBank. Billy says it was Glenn Marsh, TowneBank Greenville branch manager, who got him to move over to Towne. “We have had our insurance with Jim Clement and Spruill Alexander at Towne Insurance for many years. When they opened a bank branch here in Greenville, we did not hesitate to move our accounts over. It is so nice to be able to walk into the bank and be personally greeted by name! Both Patty and I also have our personal accountsat Towne. We both love the bank and its people.” 

Lautares Jewelers loves supporting the Greenville community. They frequently donate jewelry or gifts to benefits like the Greenville Museum of Art Ball, the Greenville Service League, Pitt Community College, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pitt County, and other nonprofits in search of prizes and gifts for their fall festivals, bingo nights, or holiday events. 

Patty reflects back on the early days of her time at the jewelry store and remembers that her devotion was instant. She recalls Mr. Lautares telling her how important her job was when he hired her.  “Now, Patty, you can’t call in sick,” he said. She took his words to heart. “For years, I didn’t miss a day of work because I would tell myself, ‘The store is small, we don’t have a lot of employees – it’s your responsibility, it’s your integrity, people are depending on you to be here.’ And I think a lot of what we learned came from the Lautares. Billy and I have our heart and soul in the store; it’s not just a job.” 

For more information, visit Lautares.com.