The more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s the plan at Molinelli’s.

POCATELLO — Long before smartphones, online shopping, and overnight shipping, Molinelli’s Jewelers helped people find the perfect anniversary or Christmas gift, guiding couples as they chose their forever rings in the heart of downtown.

More than a century later, not much has changed, and there are no plans to change now.

For more than 100 years, Molinelli’s Jewelers — Idaho’s oldest jewelry store, still operating under its original name — has remained a steady presence in the community, weathering wars, economic shifts, and social change. The business began in 1903, when founder Leon F. Molinelli sold jewelry from a cart on Center Street, the site of the store’s original location.

Leon’s son, Bud Molinelli, eventually took over the business, followed by longtime employee Jack Clark. In 1974, the store moved to its current home at 126 North Main Street, inside the historic Franklin Building, which was constructed in 1919.

In 2005, Jack’s son-in-law, Lance Buttars, who worked in the store for many years, became the next in line to carry on the Molinelli’s legacy at that location and renovated the store in 2014 while keeping its vintage charm.

Today, the Molinelli’s Jewelry legacy lives on under the ownership of East Idaho natives Carole and Gage Barker, a mother-and-son team determined to preserve the store’s heritage while continuing its tradition of excellence. Carole, who worked at that store for years under Buttars, purchased the business, calling the transition natural.

“Except minor tweaks, we’ve changed nothing since taking over the business three years ago,” said Carole. “Young couples want the experience of shopping for a diamond. We make that an experience from the moment people step into the store. It’s not very romantic to shop for diamonds online. Diamonds speak to you — each one has a personality all its own.”

Her son, Gage, who grew up around Molinelli’s, quickly adapted to the business and now manages the store.

“He has outstanding people skills and was a natural fit,” Carole said. Both credit Buttars, whom they describe as a “diamond master,” for their training and inspiration.

Thanks to Molinelli’s stellar reputation and longstanding industry relationships, the store can source diamonds and gemstones from around the world, often without the big-city price tag. A cornerstone of the business is the tradition of traveling twice a year to Antwerp, Belgium, where Carole and Gage hand-select diamonds straight from the cutters.

“We’ve purchased something with a long legacy of excellence. It’s very humbling,” Gage said. “My goal is to keep things the same and maintain that standard of excellence that is known not just in our community but around the world.”

Carole and Gage are also quick to praise their team.

“We have so much talent at this store,” Carole said. “Our goldsmiths are incredibly gifted and can do just about anything when it comes to jewelry.”

And while time has changed for the store’s iconic street clock — a relic that has followed the business through its various downtown addresses — it remains a proud and familiar landmark in Pocatello. Though it no longer keeps time, its presence outside the store is a testament to Molinelli’s longstanding role in the city’s history.

With its blend of timeless tradition and personal attention, Molinelli’s Jewelers continues to shine in a fast-changing world.

“We’re here to preserve the standard of excellence this business has always stood for,” conclude Carole and Gage. “And we’re proud to keep that tradition going.”

For more information, follow Molinelli’s on Facebook.