For siblings Walter “Wally” Hinkamp, Jr. and Donna Hinkamp Warren, operating Hinkamp Jewelers isn’t just a labor of love, but the continuation of a legacy built on industry knowledge, good community standing and integrity established for them by their parents, Ruthene and Walter Hinkamp Sr.
What is now known as Hinkamp Jewelers officially went into business on Aug. 1, 1955, under a completely different name.

It all began when jewelers Ruthene and Walter Hinkamp, Sr. opened their first storefront on Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville along with business partner Robert Tyndall. Then known as Tyndall’s Jewelers, the store was laying the foundation for what would one day become one of the area’s longest-running family-owned jewelry businesses.

“They all worked together at a jewel box store, and they decided they wanted to go into business for themselves,” shared Owner Wally Hinkamp. “They were business partners until 1974. It was called Tyndall’s Jewelers from 1955 to 1974, and then Mr. Tyndall decided he wanted to retire. My parents bought him out and they changed the name.”

Since then, Hinkamp Jewelers has become one of Fayetteville’s most trustworthy sources for fine jewelry, watches, diamonds and more. 

The Hinkamp siblings continued to build their business across two locations; the original in downtown Fayetteville and the other storefront located on McPherson Church Road which opened in 1983. 

Hinkamp Jewelers shifted to the ownership of sons Wally and the late David Hinkamp, with their sister Donna providing ongoing encouragement and support.

“They gave us a choice. They said, ‘You can follow us, or you can do something else, we don’t have any expectations,’” recalled Wally. “I started in high school helping out, just like my brother David did, and Donna did, at our very first store on Hay Street. We opened this store [on McPherson Church Road] as a second location. And the idea behind that was, when my parents are ready to retire David would have a store and I would have a store.” 

Unfortunately, the vision never became a reality. The family made the decision to consolidate their two storefronts into one in Fayetteville’s McPherson Square shopping center, closing the downtown location in July of 1993. 

“We literally were working six days a week, sometimes seven, because we did not have enough family to operate two jewelry stores, and we don’t do anything by absentee management, so it had to be a family member,” shared Wally. 

Following in their parents’ footsteps, brothers David and Wally decided to divide and conquer their education to learn all they needed to enter into the jewelry industry. 

“I left to go to school at UNC Wilmington. If I was going to be in the jewelry business, I needed certification from the Gemological Institute of America. I went to work full time and did that at night, and I got my gemology degree,” shared Wally. “My younger brother David went to a school, Holland School for Jewelers in Selma, Alabama to learn how to physically make and repair jewelry.”

The two ran the business as co-owners until David's untimely passing in 2012. While sole ownership of Hinkamp Jewelers switched over to Wally, David’s memory lives on through his siblings and the business.

“David was the people person; Wally was the guy back in the office. You know, he was the book guy,” recalled Donna. “David loved being out here and talking to the customers. David was much more like my dad. My dad was outgoing and laid back while Wally was much more reserved. He [Wally] really stepped up to the plate and has done very well. They complimented each other and David was a huge part of Hinkamp Jewelers, no question about it. I’m so impressed at how Wally has carried it on and has grown it.” 

Now in their 70th year in business, Hinkamp Jewelers is celebrating seven decades of serving Fayetteville while still providing Hinkamp hospitality. Donna and Wally are working together to continue their family legacy with a small staff of seven people including long-time employees Office Manager Amanda Andrus and Sales Rep Willie Dorman. 

“We hear from a lot of our customers, it’s a very family-oriented atmosphere. Nobody works on commission. You come in the door, it’s, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ And you laugh, you talk, you get to know them. It’s very friendly and welcoming, which you don't get a lot in chain stores,” shared Donna.

“This location has been very good to us, and the people in Fayetteville,” shared Wally. “We’re helping the grandchildren of the people that my parents helped.” 

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal also got to learn Wally’s secret to the business’ longevity: “Treat people like you want to be treated and do it with honesty and integrity. Just do the right thing,” shared Wally. “We’ve been really lucky over the years to have a lot of good people who work with us.”

“We’re just very thankful to our community and our friends and family that have supported Hinkamp Jewelers,” added Donna.

While there aren’t currently any plans to pass the business down to a relative, Wally also shared that he has no plans to leave. Even as the business celebrates its 70th birthday, he is proud to continue providing service with his staff and sister. 

“Retirement probably is just not for me. I might could do a couple of days off a week or something, but other than that, I can’t,” shared Wally. “My father told me one time, ‘If you ever wake up and you are debt free, the very first thing I want you to do is go to a bank and borrow some money.’ And I asked him, ‘Why in the world would I do that?’ And he said, ‘You need a reason to get up.’”

Hinkamp Jewelers can be found at 201 S McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville and is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday.

To learn more about Hinkamp Jewelers’ history, lasting legacy and product and service offerings, visit www.hinkamp jewelers.com. You can also follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ HinkampJewelers.