...for City of Southlake news, business, and community happenings.
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- The Gatehouse
Friday, September 22, 2023
Changing the name of a business can happen for many reasons: new ownership, a rebranding, or expansion of products and services. In the case of Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers in Southlake, all of these apply.
Effective September 15, Grayson Allen became The Gatehouse Fine Jewelers, with a new management structure and elevated mission. Joining longtime owners, Keary and Patty Turner, are Matt and Lisa Rose and Jackie and Delisa Read. Not only does this foursome bring financial resources and business acumen to the table, but the Reads have more than 30 years of experience in the industry and own Reads Jewelers in Fort Worth. (Note: The stores will operate independently of each other.)
According to store manager Darla Stapleton, who joined Grayson Allen in 2009, the Turners began to strategically look for partners who would help to advance the store’s benevolent impact within the community. As friends and clients of Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers, philanthropists Matt and Lisa Rose came quickly to mind when they began thinking about making a change.
“Keary and Patty have always desired to give back to the community that has been such a blessing to them and their business,” said Stapleton.
Since opening the jewelry store in 2004, the Turners have been an active community partner, supporting numerous organizations and causes, including The Gatehouse in Grapevine. Founded by Lisa Rose, The Gatehouse is a non-profit living community for women and children who are seeking help from domestic violence, poverty and other crisis situations.
The pieces fell into place and the new structure is a win-win for all involved. Most significantly, the new owners have agreed to donate 50 percent of profits to The Gatehouse.
Grayson Allen’s dedicated staff will remain at The Gatehouse Fine Jewelers and customers can expect the same high level of service, as well as a larger selection of exquisite jewelry from designers around the world.
Carroll senior Casey Lapham will leave her mark in the community long after she graduates in June. The Southlake 18-year-old is using her talent to benefit a local non-profit organization that assists women and children in crisis situations.
The Gatehouse is a new supportive living community in Grapevine. Lapham, who is also a long time Girl Scout, contacted The Gatehouse asking how she could partner with the organization in hopes of achieving a Girl Scout Gold Award. When directors found out she was an art student, they asked if she could help with the wall art.
Lapham said the organizers wanted families to see something bright and happy every day, “I was excited to see how much art could inspire people and make a difference.”
The facility recently celebrated a grand opening and included one of Lapham’s works already installed in the community center. Residents will see her original paintings hanging on the walls of the first two dozen units when the center is ready to welcome families later this spring.
The design for the artwork came from The Gatehouse logo, a sunflower. Lapham painted four different images and presented to directors.
“I had to think about the designs of each piece with a different mindset, since it was to portray a message,” Lapham said. “I added a flower bud to each painting, to illustrate the companionship of children.”
Art is something Lapham has always enjoyed. A long time art student in Carroll ISD, Lapham took art classes at Carroll Middle School and Carroll High School. She says her high school teacher, Mr. Eric Horn was her favorite, “He knew how to help you get your ideas on paper and stretch them to your highest potential.” She said her favorite medium is graphite on paper.
Artist tools in hand, Lapham set out to create 24 pieces of large art. The canvases are 30″x 30″ and one will be hung inside each of the apartments scheduled to open in April. In addition to these paintings, Lapham hosted a painting workshop for younger girl scouts at Grapevine’s Painting with a Twist. Participants donated their finished canvases to The Gatehouse as well. Lapham says all the artwork will have an impact on residents, “This would be a daily reminder that someone that they did not even know cared about them and wanted to create something just for them!”
Lapham also said she couldn’t have completed all the paintings without the help of her family, her Girl Scout Troop #4032 and friends who helped sponsor each canvas. Lapham will graduate from Carroll ISD in June and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall.
To read more about The Gatehouse, click here.