W.S. Reyner and I. Goldblatt opened Rey’s Jewelers at 20 N. Main St. (between East Coffee and East Washington streets) in 1937 and quickly were prosperous. They took over the rest of the building in 1940 and invested $20,000 to create the façade we see in this Coxe Collection photo as well as extensive interior decorations.
Many Greenvillians have celebrated their special occasions with rings and other jewelry from this store. Today the space is occupied by Reys bar, whose owners honored the legacy of the building when they opened as Greenville’s only “upscale dive bar.” #greenvillecountyhistoricalsociety
Photo: “Rey’s” can be seen on this building both in 1937 when it opened, and today. The “drugs” sign on the building to the left was Walgreen’s in this photo but is today Trio restaurant.
John M. Nolan is owner of Greenville History Tours (greenvillehistorytours.com) and author of “A Guide to Historic Greenville, SC” and “Lost Restaurants of Greenville, SC.”
