Some businesses are born in boardrooms. Ours began with a few antique jewels, the hood of a car, and a bold dream.

More than 50 years ago, Melba "MawMaw" Walton was selling antique jewelry from the hood of her car at flea markets. Set up beside vendors selling chickens and homemade goods, she displayed a small but sparkling collection of antique jewelry. Melba had a keen eye, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a vision that stretched far beyond her spot between chicken coops and folding tables. Her heart was fully set on building something of her own.

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In 1974, at a time when women couldn’t get a business loan without a male cosigner, Melba had her husband, Jack, sign with her so she could pursue her dream. That same year, she opened her first brick-and-mortar shop: Melba Walton Antique & Estate Jewelry, tucked inside Carter’s Court, the premier shopping destination in Downtown Franklin at the time. What started as a small collection of handpicked pieces grew into a full-fledged showroom, quickly becoming a sanctuary for seekers of antique treasures and heirloom jewels.

Melba greeted each visitor with a twinkle in her eye and a welcoming smile. Serious shoppers and curious browsers were treated with the same care. Kids were invited, too — often handed a small container of plastic safari animals to keep their hands (and imaginations) busy while their grown-ups browsed the cases.

A Legacy Through Generations

That same toybox is still here. Melba's great-grandchildren now dig through it during visits, and many of our longtime customers fondly remember it from their own childhoods. Melba created a space where stories could be shared and memories could be made. Her philosophy was simple: jewelry should mean something, and the experience of finding it should be just as special.

Today, her granddaughter Julie carries on that vision as the third-generation owner of Walton’s. Every detail in the showroom reflects Julie’s dedication to quality, beauty, and service—from the antique jewels in our cases to the way guests are greeted when they walk through the door.

Julie continues the legacy with both reverence and fresh perspective. She leads with the same warmth Melba was known for, ensuring that the heart of Walton’s remains just as strong as it was in 1974.

First and second generation // Melba & Mike

First and third generation // Melba & Julie

Third and fourth generations // Julie, James, & Kate

Celebrating the Women Who Shape Us

Mother’s Day is a time to reflect on the women who’ve made a lasting impact on our lives. Some raised us. Others guided us, inspired us, or simply showed up when we needed them most. For Walton’s, it all began with Melba. Her legacy continues through Julie, and it grows every time someone finds a piece of jewelry here that marks a meaningful moment in their own story.

We’re grateful to each of you who have allowed us to be part of your life’s most meaningful moments—whether that’s a milestone anniversary, a reimagined heirloom, or a gift to yourself just because.

Now more than five decades in, Walton’s remains a family-owned business in the heart of Franklin. And this May, as Julie celebrates her own daughter’s third birthday, we can’t help but wonder what stories the next generation will tell.

However you're spending today, we invite you to join us in honoring the women who lead, nurture, and inspire.