History

In the 1940’s, Alexandria was a rapidly growing town fueled by a multitude of military bases and a huge influx of military personnel and their families. MacArthur Drive, a new four lane thoroughfare had just been completed and Highway 28 West, an emergency runway and new state highway, was now a part of the landscape. Cash was coming in, downtown was growing, and one young family began their journey to create a legacy that would last for years to come.

As the community developed, so grew the heritage of Pattons Fine Jewelry. Pattons was established by O'Dell Patton and his wife Opal in 1944 as a clock and watch repair shop, boasting only a small selection of fine jewelry. Over the years, the small shop has grown and expanded, but has remained a customer focused, family owned and operated business for three generations.

Ken Patton, O’Dell’s youngest son, joined his father’s business in 1967 and purchased it from him after four years. Ken and his wife, Sandra, grew the business substantially over the next five years, expanding the fine jewelry selection and solidifying their place in Central Louisiana. When the couple decided to move the store into the Alexandria Mall in 1972, it was certainly a labor of love. With its unfinished walls and dirt floor, the business’s new home was far from move in ready. Ken and Sandra along with their four children worked tirelessly in an effort to make their mark in their community.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Pattons expanded across Louisiana, and grew to add five Pattons Keepsake Diamond Centers to the family. Ken and Sandra’s sons joined the family business in the late 70’s and early 80’s, determined to learn the business and keep their father’s legacy alive for generations to come. By 1992, the Pattons found they could better serve their customers if they focused on quality service in their two primary stores, Alexandria and Baton Rouge. They opened the first free-standing store in Baton Rouge in 1992 with the Alexandria location following suit two years later. After the passing of their father, Ken and Sandra’s sons, Kent and Kevin, now serve as the president and vice president of their father’s company with their mom, Sandra, as acting CEO. Pattons now proudly serves both the Baton Rouge and Alexandria areas, and is still inviting Louisianans to experience the “Pattons treatment” for themselves.