With locations in Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Conway, and Memphis, Sissy’s Log Cabin is known throughout the state (and beyond!) for its reputation in fine jewelry and customer service. Here, we catch up with CEO and Graduate Gemologist Bill Jones on the history and growth of his family’s business. | Sponsored Content
Above: Sissy Jones with her son, Bill (second from right), and grandsons Wyatt (far left) and William.
Weddings in Arkansas: Let’s start with some of the history behind Sissy’s Log Cabin. How did this Arkansas icon get its start?
Bill Jones: In 1970, my mom, Sissy Jones, a home decorator with a flair for antiques, founded Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff. She quickly outgrew the home office where her antique business began and was forced to search for a standalone store of her own. While driving down Highway 79 in Pine Bluff, she noticed a log cabin for sale, just big enough to accommodate her growing business. She began renting the cabin for $50 a month and word spread quickly throughout Arkansas. People started talking about their visits to “Sissy’s Log Cabin,” and the rest is history.
WIA: At what point did Sissy decide to make the transition from antiques to jewelry?
Bill: She used her vintage finds to fill her clients’ homes, and one day when my mom and I were delivering a roll-top desk to a client on a hot, summer day, it became clear that selling high end jewelry was in our future. We carried that heavy piece of furniture into a building with no air conditioner and up two flights of stairs to make $500. Later that day, after returning to the store, I sold a 1 carat diamond for $5,000. That delivery was a huge turning point in our business.
WIA: Tell us about your own personal involvement with the family business.
Bill: In 1984, I attended the Gemological Institute of America to become a Graduate Gemologist. This education helped rocket the growth of Sissy’s Log Cabin as I joined my mother on the sales floor during the day and worked at the jewelers’ bench at night helping clients with all of their jewelry needs. Today, I continue to carry on the Sissy’s tradition as CEO.
WIA: What role has being family owned and operated played in running/growing your business?
Bill: Being family owned and operated allows us to have a personal touch in each store, which ensures we’re providing the best experience for our customers. My phone number can be found on the outside of every Sissy’s Log Cabin location in case of a “jewelry emergency.” That’s something you won’t get from a big-box retailer and one of those personal touches that sets us apart from the rest. A third-generation business, we at Sissy’s Log Cabin treat each person who walks through our doors like they’re a part of our family—and we have for the past 50 years.
WIA: There are so many choices when it comes to picking out wedding jewelry, especially engagement rings. What is some advice you give when couples are deciding what is right for them?
Bill: One of the best pieces of advice we can give when looking to purchase an engagement ring is, Ask her what she wants and make a plan. Every bride is different and most have a vision for what their dream ring would look like. Some couples choose to come in and shop before purchasing, while others bring in a photo of the ring their soon-to-be fiancée envisions. At Sissy’s, we take the time to get to know our customers so that we can help them discover rings that will be a perfect symbol of their commitment to each other. With a wide range of financing options available, we can work with any budget to get couples the perfect rings at prices that work for them.
WIA: What are some of the most popular pieces you see gifted for wedding day presents?
Bill: We see couples come into our stores every day looking for the perfect wedding day gift. Many brides purchase bracelets from our LAGOS and Yurman collections as gifts. Each store has a wide selection of necklaces, bracelets, and other subtle pieces that would be perfect for bridesmaid gifts. Whether it is a bracelet, necklace, or classic pair of stud earrings—those all make great gifts that can be worn and remembered for years to come. Our gift selection doesn’t stop with women’s pieces. We also have a large selection of watches, knives, and cufflinks for men. No matter the gift or occasion, you’re in good hands with any of our trained sales associates at Sissy’s Log Cabin.
WIA: 2020 is a big year for Sissy’s Log Cabin! How are you celebrating 50 years in business?
Bill: We feel so honored and blessed to be celebrating 50 years in business. For the last half century, we’ve maintained high-quality jewelry and unmatched customer service. We have grown from a small shop in Pine Bluff to five stores in two states and built a lasting legacy with our customers.
To celebrate this business milestone, Steven Lagos, founder of designer jewelry brand LAGOS, has created an exclusive, custom bracelet to commemorate Sissy’s 50th anniversary. It is made of 18-karat yellow gold, silver, and diamonds, and it has “Sissy’s 50th” delicately embossed on the inside of the clasp. You can learn more about this one-of-a-kind bracelet by visiting or calling any of our five Sissy’s Log Cabin locations.
We’ve been celebrating this milestone all year, and we are so grateful to our customers and friends who have made the past 50 years possible for Sissy’s Log Cabin. We can’t wait to keep celebrating and hope to continue serving the great communities we are part of for many more years to come.
Visit one of Sissy’s Log Cabin’s five locations or shop online at sissyslogcabin.com.
All images courtesy of Sissy’s Log Cabin