From luxurious watches by Bulova and Lucien Piccard to contemporary wedding rings by Benchmark, Munchel’s Fine Jewelry has been home to some of the most elegant jewelry finds in Polk County for more than 40 years. This family-owned-and-operated business continues to stand as a one-stop shop for Lakelanders providing everything, from innovative and detailed repair services to a variety of in-house accessories that give you meaningful treasures to celebrate all sorts of special occasions in your life. With its wide variety of heirloom jewelry, Munchel’s not only creates a deeply personal shopping experience for its guests, but they also offer one-of-a-kind pieces that stand the test of time, in the midst of ever changing trends in the jewelry industry.

The Vision of Three Brothers

Originally hailing from up north, Pennsylvania brothers—Bill, Jack, and Tom Munchel—ventured into the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship early on prior to eventually establishing their home front store in Lakeland. During the gold and silver spike of the early 1980s, Jack Munchel started trading and selling coins along with iconic baseball cards; meanwhile, Bill Munchel was a service technician for phone companies and Tom Munchel focused on pouring concrete foundations. Afterwhile, the brothers began to trade and sell coins at flea markets where eventually they began to offer jewelry repairs services and jewelry collections on site. Bill, Jack, and Tom all opened their own jewelry stores: one in York, Pennsylvania, one in Orlando, Florida, and one in
Lakeland, Florida.

Better Together

All three brothers made a bold move to purchase the old antique store in Lakeland (known as the Mouse Trap) to establish a new dream: Munchel’s Fine Jewelry—a business where all three brothers would come together to create a memorable shopping experience. What started off as a small beginning became one of the highest quality jewelers in the area. While they pride themselves for their large inventory carefully curated in-house, they know one thing truly sets them apart as a local business: their above-and-beyond approach to customer service.

“We’re pretty invested in our customers. When it comes to what we’re about, 98 percent revolves around how we can serve customers. The selection we carry in-store is just a plus,” says Matt Munchel, Tom’s son and the inventory curator for the business.

“[At Munchel’s] we offer high end pieces while also expanding our variety constantly so we can have something for everyone who walks in.”

Lab-Grown Diamonds

In addition to their exclusive, in-house jewelry and repair services, they also give customers the opportunity to shop lab-grown diamonds, which conveniently helps those looking for a more cost-effective option for buying diamonds.

Because of new advancements in technology, lab-grown diamonds are man made, and by popular demand, Munchel’s extended this feature in their services to accommodate their ever-growing clientele in South Lakeland and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a natural cut or handcrafted lab-grown, their team is dedicated to helping you create or find your one-of-a-kind piece for whatever special occasion.

“When our customers began asking for [lab-grown diamonds], we listened. And this has been a huge part of how we’ve continued to stay strong in the business, by truly listening to the feedback of our faithful clientele,”
explains Matt.

“We’re pretty invested in our customers. When it comes to what we’re about, 98 percent revolves around how we can serve customers. The selection we carry in-store is just a plus. ” – Matt Munchel

Customer First Always

No matter the story, Munchel’s Fine Jewelry continues to create quality experiences for locals who shop at their storefront, located off South Florida Avenue. One customer named Stacy raves about her experience at Munchel’s Fine Jewelry, calling it “the friendliest jewelry establishment” she’s ever visited.

After trusting them to repair a set of silver flower earrings that was very special to her, she was amazed by the flawless results, noting, “They look better than new” and that she couldn’t even tell where the damage had been. From the warm welcome to the exceptional customer service, Stacy felt valued every step of the way. With reasonable prices and “top-notch service,” Munchel’s has earned its place as her go-to for all things jewelry.

Another customer echoes this same sense of gratitude after coming into their store for a crucial repair. Daanni requested help at the store when her engagement ring broke at work, causing four diamonds to come loose.

“Not only did they repair the ring, [but also] they bonded my three-piece wedding set,” she shares. “They gave me an amazing price and did a fantastic job!”