By Camille Gillies
If you’re looking to put smiles on your loved ones’ faces, whether for the holidays, on their next birthday, anniversary or “just because,” look no further than Leiva’s Jewelry, a new addition to the stores in the New Tampa Center, the Publix-anchored shopping plaza located at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) and New Tampa Blvds.
The father-and-son team of Transito and Jonathan Leiva (pronounced LAY-Vah) opened the store a month ago and are busy stocking the display cases with show-stopping designs and precious gems. A master jeweler with more than 40 years of experience, Transito (known to his long-time customers as simply Leiva) specializes in creating custom pieces and repairing all types of jewelry. Although he has been a jeweler in Tampa for 26 years, this is the first time he has launched a storefront business of his own.
“We are excited to be at this location,” says Transito, in the Spanish accent he acquired while growing up in Nicaragua. “It is a very busy area and it already has worked out well for us — the landlord wanted a jewelry store for this center and we wanted to be here.”
Jonathan believes the New Tampa locale is advantageous for Leiva’s new business because it’s one of the fastest-growing areas in the region, and he reports that the new Leiva’s Jewelry is already getting an enthusiastic response from the community.
“People told us we were crazy to open in this economy and around the (presidential) election, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting us,” Jonathan says. “My father has a large clientele in the area. People trust him; he is all about customer service.”
Walk into the store and you’ll see a photo of Transito with client and former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, and Transito will tell you he is pleased to design pins for USF and to have USF President Judy Genshaft as a client.
Since some customers drop off thousands of dollars worth of valuables, Jonathan says trust is a serious consideration when choosing a jeweler. Interestingly, trustworthiness is the trait that got Transito involved in the jewelry industry in the first place. When he came to America from Nicaragua 46 years ago, Transito worked as a janitor in a factory on W. 47th St., in New York City’s famed “Diamond District.” While cleaning, he says he often found gold and other valuable items and immediately turned them in. The owner of the business was always impressed by Transito’s honesty.
“He told me, ‘In this business, you have to be an honest man,’ and he began teaching me the trade,” Transito explains. “I started out making 75 cents an hour, but I ended up actually running the company.”
After five years, Transito opened his own business while continuing to work at the diamond factory. Tiffany & Co. and other high-end jewelers would often send jobs to him.
After spending 16 cold winters commuting from the Bronx to Manhattan, he decided to move to Florida to raise his family. Jonathan and one of his sisters are in the jewelry business, while another is a hair stylist, and the youngest, well, she is not in the business of making or selling jewelry but is at an age when she might want to play with it!
That’s because Transito and his wife, Angela, 38, last summer adopted a two-year-old child from Nicaragua. They named her Angelina after actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie.
“It was always in my heart that I wanted to help someone from my country,” relates Transito, who also has spent a dozen years doing missionary work in Nicaragua. He visits the country four times a year and, on behalf of City Life Church in Tampa, works to help impoverished communities in his native country.
Jonathan, who manages and co-owns Leiva’s, and his wife, Lauren, have a five-year-old son named Elijah. Jonathan became involved in the jewelry business approximately six years ago and describes himself as his father’s apprentice.
Together, they welcome you to stop in and browse Leiva’s own amazing designs of rings, necklaces, earrings and pendants, which he crafts primarily using gold and silver. The store also features jewelry by Colore, Design by Yagi, Reactor and G-Shock watches, and engagement ring settings by various New York distributors. Gems found at the store include sapphires, pearls, rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
If you have a design in mind and would like a piece custom made, simply bring in a photo or describe your dream creation. Transito can complete most pieces in two weeks’ time. You might want to get a jump on purchasing a holiday gift by visiting soon and avoiding the Christmas rush.
While you’re there, take advantage of the opportunity to drop off the broken necklace and watch that have been sitting in your jewelry box forever because you haven’t gotten around to having them fixed (you know who you are). Leiva’s Jewelry does repairs as well as installs new watch batteries. Most repairs have a 24-hour turnaround. If your Rolex watch needs to be repaired, Leiva’s will take care of sending it to an authorized Rolex jeweler, ensuring the use of only Rolex parts.
For couples getting ready to tie the knot, Leiva’s also offers a complete line of beautiful bridal jewelry.
“Whether people are looking for engagement or wedding rings, or choosing a new setting, we have many designs to choose from,” Jonathan says.
Because jewelry is such a personal gift, Transito stresses the importance of getting to know his customers.
“I am in this business because I like people,” he says.
And people like the Leivas, too. South Tampa resident Jim Mutascio met Leiva and Jonathan six years ago when he lived in New Tampa. Now Jim travels here to visit the master jeweler.
“It’s worth the trip for anybody,” Jim raves. “He is the best jeweler I’ve found in the area.” He has purchased custom-designed gifts for his wife, daughter, son and grandchildren.
“They come out unbelievable!,” he says. The workmanship is fantastic. And (Transito) is just very eager to please.”
With the number of customers who have followed this master jeweler around Tampa, it’s evident that the Leivas make their clients happy.
For additional information, stop in and visit Leiva’s Jewelry at 19020 BBD Blvd. in the New Tampa Center shopping plaza the next time you go shopping at Publix. You also can visit Facebook.com/LeivasJewelry, or give the store a call at 972-0417.
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