A Gift Wrapped in History
As Gaines Jewelers Turns 90, so Does one of Its Most Endearing Employees
PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL
As Gaines Jewelers celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, it’s fitting that the light also shines on one of Lakeland’s most beloved residents, 90-year-old Rosa Lee “Miss Rosie” McCloud, whose kindness, craftsmanship, and steadfast dedication have brightened Gaines Jewelers for more than 68 years.
For generations of families, the Gaines experience would not have been complete without Miss Rosie’s touch. Her signature handmade bows, delicate rosettes of satin ribbon, have adorned countless gifts marking engagements, weddings, anniversaries and holidays. Each one is made by hand, each one a small masterpiece.
Miss Rosie recalls that a vendor left a “How To” guide for different bows in the store in the early 1960s, so she began to try out different creations.
For many, those bows are more than decoration; they are keepsakes. Some brides have even carried Miss Rosie’s bows as bouquets during wedding rehearsals, treasuring them as tokens of love and tradition. Customers have shared they use bows received on gifts from Gaines as decoration on their Christmas tree.
At 90 years old, Miss Rosie still comes to work three days a week. From behind the wrapping counter, she continues to craft her exquisite ribbons and wrap gifts with the same care and joy that have made her a legend among customers and coworkers alike.
But Miss Rosie’s creativity doesn’t stop at the store. She’s also a talented gardener, known for nurturing flowers as lovingly as she shapes her bows. An active member of New Bethel AME Church, Miss Rosie is as devoted to her Christian faith as she is to her family. A proud widow, she is blessed with five children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her love, laughter and legacy. Her presence radiates the simple beauty of a life well-lived with service, artistry and love at the center of it.
To visit Gaines is to witness not just a fine jewelry tradition, but a living legacy.
When George Livingston Gaines opened his small watch repair shop in downtown Lakeland in 1935, it’s unlikely he imagined that it would one day become one of the city’s most beloved and enduring landmarks.
What began as a modest business soon blossomed into a fine jewelry and gift destination where generations of families have celebrated life’s milestones. George’s dedication to craftsmanship and his wife Doris Freeman Gaines’s vision for beauty and home combined to create something timeless.
In 1982, longtime employee Suzanne Brown married the Gaines’ son, John Richard “Dick” Gaines. Together, they continued the Gaines tradition with warmth and personal attention that made every customer feel like family.
After the passing of her mother-in-law and husband, Suzanne carried on the store’s mission with quiet strength and deep devotion. Her stewardship ensured the Gaines name remained synonymous with trust, tradition and excellence.
In 2017, Suzanne passed the torch to Gina Saunders, a longtime friend and loyal customer who shared the family’s love for the store and its meaning to Lakeland.
For Gina, purchasing Gaines was more than a business decision—it was a personal celebration. After surviving stage 3 ovarian cancer and receiving news of remission, she sought to embrace joy in every moment.
“Purchasing Gaines was my way of celebrating life,” says Gina. “I love being part of a legacy that has meant so much to so many families in our community.”
Under Gina’s leadership, the store re-branded as Gaines Jewelers, a modern reflection of its timeless spirit. The shop remains a downtown treasure where customers come not just to shop, but to share stories, mark milestones and wrap memories in signature ribbons and bows.
From its beginnings as a watch repair counter to its present as a fine jewelry, bridal, and gift destination, Gaines Jewelers has remained a fixture in Lakeland’s heart. The store’s glass cases gleam with jewelry that celebrates engagements and anniversaries, while the china room glows with place settings that have graced family tables for generations.
“We’re not just selling jewelry or china,” Gina says. “We’re celebrating love, family and the beauty of everyday moments.”
How To Make a Pom-Pom Ribbon Bow
As told by present wrapping expert Rosa Lee McCloud of Gaines Jewelers
MATERIALS NEEDED
Splendorette Ribbon (satin, fabric, or poly ribbon — 2 to 3 yards)
¾” for small bows for jewelry size boxes, etc.
1 1/4” for large bows for 8x8 inch boxes or larger
Small piece of matching ribbon for tying 5-10 “ depending on ribbon size used
Sharp and clean scissors
step one:
Create loops. Form a ribbon circle approximately the width of the bow you’d like to make; ours measures about six inches across. Continue winding the ribbon around, forming at least eight circles. The more times you wrap the ribbon around, the more loops you’ll have in the center, so your bow will be fuller.
step two:
Cut the loop ends. When you’re done wrapping the ribbon into circles, flatten the loops and use craft scissors to make a diagonal cut at all four corners, leaving a small section between the two cuts on each side. Be careful not to cut too much off or the bow will break when you are tightening the knot.
step three:
Secure the center. After cutting the four corners, refold the flattened loops so that the cut notches meet in the center. Firmly tie a thin piece of string or craft wire around the center notches.
step four:
Fluff the bow. Pull each ribbon strip outward, alternating directions, to create a rounded “pom-pom” shape. Twist and shape each strip with your fingers so the bow looks full and even. Gently adjust the curls and volume for balance.
step five:
Cut the loop ends. Use the center tie to attach the bow to the crossed ribbon on your wrapped gift.