SOUTHAMPTON — After 27 years as a beloved community staple, Ted’s Creative Jewelers Inc. is closing its doors. After decades of creating jewelry cherished by members of the Southampton community and beyond, the store’s owner, Ted Blais, is looking forward to a slower pace of life — though he says it’s “bittersweet” to say goodbye to the store that has brought him so many memories and close friends.

“It was a great run,” said Blais. “And I’m not closing at a low, I’m closing at a high.”

Blais, 57, has never considered himself a traditional salesman. For him, selling his carefully crafted jewelry isn’t about raking in cash, but about creating a special experience for customers. Over the years, his genuine love for interacting with community members made its mark, bringing him a loyal base of customers who made his store their go-to spot for jewelry — and for hugs.

“A hug is never far away in here,” Blais laughed. “It’s gonna be heart-wrenching to say goodbye to so many  people.”

The personal connection has always been what’s made Ted’s Creative Jewelers special for Blais and his customers. Sometimes, customers stop in just to say hello and receive a warm hug. Blais has watched as customers have grown older, started families, suffered losses and still continued to return to the store when they were in need of a meaningful gift.

Blais first became enamored with jewelry making when he was 17. He would go to the mall regularly to watch Joseph Hannoush, a local jeweler, work on his pieces. Eventually, his curiosity earned him a job. He quickly found that he had a knack for jewelry making which, combined with his work ethic, allowed him to learn and advance rapidly.

Some of the customers he gained early in his career have even followed him as he’s progressed and grown his own business.

“Overall, the journey’s been a great journey,” said Blais. “I’ve met some absolutely incredible people.”

What has kept Blais’s customers coming back for so many years isn’t just the beauty of the pieces he creates, but his genuine nature. Blais said that he would absolutely never lie to make a sale, and his customers know that. Several times, he’s even advised customers against a purchase he thought wasn’t right for them.

“My job is to make you happy, not to take every dollar I can out of your pocket,” he said.

For members of the community who have served in the armed forces or the police and fire departments, Blais would always offer watch batteries for free, because “they’ve already paid their price.”

While it will be hard for Blais to say goodbye to the store and so many who have frequented it, he also believes that closing retail operations will eliminate a lot of stress from his life. Bus he emphasized that the store’s closure does not mean he’s retiring. Instead, he’s looking to slow things down.

Ted’s Creative Jewelers will be open until Christmas Eve. Before its doors close, the store is holding an inventory liquidation sale, where customers can get up to 70% off storewide. Already, Blais said the store has been busy with customers coming in to take advantage of the sale and to wish him well in his next chapter.

“The outpouring of support I’ve gotten, it’s just unbelievable,” said Blais.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.