Saint & Society, a Black- and Latina-owned jewelry boutique, has opened its brick-and-mortar location in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. Owners Naomi Calvin and Vee Jones established the personalized jewelry shop at 715 E. 36th St., Suite 114, in April, following a period of building a local customer base through various pop-up events.
Calvin’s connection to jewelry began in her childhood, making necklaces and bracelets with her mother and aunts in San Marcos, Texas. She describes jewelry as a family love language, an experience that influenced the creation of Saint & Society. Before launching the business, Calvin spent over a decade as a professional makeup artist, gaining experience in retail, customer service, and community building around personal style.
The online storefront for Saint & Society launched in April 2022 while Calvin resided in Dallas. Four months later, she and Jones moved to Charlotte to be closer to Jones’ family, as Calvin was eight weeks pregnant. The business continued online until July 2023, when their first Charlotte pop-up at Camp North End proved to be a pivotal moment, introducing them to the city’s market culture and helping them establish relationships. Subsequent participation in markets like Front Porch markets and Handcrafted Market CLT, along with a partnership with the Bank of America Marketplace, further expanded their reach.
The opportunity for a physical store arose unexpectedly when a broker encountered Saint & Society at a pop-up. Despite understanding the challenges of running a retail space, Calvin and Jones decided to proceed. They spent approximately three months building out much of the space themselves, without investors, creating a shop with cream walls, arched display niches, and tables showcasing gold and silver jewelry. The design emphasizes a calm, polished feel with interactive areas.
The boutique features several unique stations: the Made Bar allows customers to personalize jewelry with charms, the Bond Bar offers permanent jewelry fitted and welded on-site, and the Gift Bar highlights products from other Charlotte-based, women-owned businesses. The Post Bar provides postcards for customers to write and have mailed by Saint & Society. Calvin notes that the store has become an ecosystem for people who share a love for jewelry.
The store’s team, primarily Gen Z, helps the millennial owners stay current with fashion and social media trends. Employees are encouraged to express their individuality through their personal style, reflecting Calvin’s own experiences growing up Black and Latina and seeking community. Accessibility is also a key aspect of their approach, with most jewelry made from stainless steel to keep costs manageable, offering water- and tarnish-resistant pieces, many priced at $50 or less.
Saint & Society plans to expand beyond traditional retail by hosting workshops, events, and collaborations with other Charlotte businesses and creators. Long-term goals include bringing the Made Bar and Bond Bar experiences to other cities, aiming to evolve into a lifestyle brand.