New York Connection - Utica Briar Hanna: My friends and I have been coming to this place for years and I think its hands-down the best pawn shop/retro game store in the area. As a pawn shop there is always a variety of eye catching stuff at decent prices. Guitars and amps, stereo setups, jewelry, cameras, comics and so much more. As a retro game store it is a collectors paradise. So many consoles from the 80s-now and a slew of games for each one. Every console comes with a controller and a free game and if anything doesnt work theyll replace it with no questions asked. Current Gen consoles are also frequently sold here at great prices, especially around the holiday season.
Both owners are engaging and amicable though I usually talk to the younger guy, Dom. I can tell that he is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable collector and I really like chatting with him about some of the rarer stuff that comes through the shop. Overall a great place to stop by if youre looking to get into any number of hobbies, expand your collections, trade stuff in, or even just to kill a half-hour in the Utica area.
JF Jones Jewelers - Rochester Ezela Tagliente: JF Jones does AMAZING work!! She is officially my jeweler for life!
Brittany and her team are one of a kind, I dont shop anywhere else now when it comes to quality jewelry. My husband and I met Brittany in 2018 shopping for engagement rings. She took one of his family rings and created a custom ring for me, and collaborated with my husband to use the surrounding diamonds for a surprise necklace given to me on our wedding day!!
But that was just how we started our relationship with Brittany at JF Jones. Over the past years she has worked with us countless times on beautiful gifts and pieces. From delicate Ania Haie fashion jewelry to the anniversary gifts my husband and I now exchange, its great to know that shes ready to partner with us. The store has been around for almost 100 years, and everything is excellent quality! She has items for any price range!
I also recently did her jewelry box clean out program - bring in broken or unwanted jewelry and she will value it and apply that value to your next purchase!!
