By: Michelle Jones, Follow South Jersey Corresponding Writer
SALEM, N.J. — If you live in Salem City, there is no doubt you have had an interaction with the lead “Parker Girl” Cheryl Turner.
Business owner, landlady, Church member and treasurer, Turner has been a well known and loved community leader since purchasing Parker Jewelers in 2007.
As a lifelong Salem county resident, Turner graduated from Pennsville Memorial High, and has lived Pennsville, Quinton, and Mannington where she built her forever home with her husband. While people may know her from where she lived, most everyone else knows her from where she has worked.
Prior to owning Parker Jewelers, people could find her waitressing or working her family farm in Lower Alloway Creek. Or they could have seen her working at the nuclear power plant, or a local clothing store. She even worked in a drive through photo booth. However, it was after having her second child that her work life would begin to have a new meaning.
Turner found herself working part time at Parker Jewelers in 1992. At that time the store was owned by Ed Sykes who had purchased it 1959, with one big difference. When Sykes bought the store, it was called Ray’s Jewelry Store. Needing a new name for his store, Sykes looked down at the Parker pen he signed the papers with and said, “We will name it Parker.”
Turner quickly fell in love with the business.
Parker’s was a much needed staple in the community. They didn’t only sell jewelry. They also sold small appliances like irons, vacuum cleaners, pots, pans and window air conditioners. They did all of this while offering layaway options and check cashing services. These were critical to this hard working community.
By following her new boss around and asking as many questions as she could, Sykes could see that he needed to bring Turner on full time. Eventually Sykes’ family encouraged him to sell the business, and through prayer, consulting with her husband, and her business smarts, Turner purchased Parker Jewelers making it her own in 2007.
Parker’s still remains a needed community store. They primarily sell jewelry but offer other services to the community such as tickets to the Annual Yuletide Tour, trash stickers, and sponsorship of local teams.
Perhaps the biggest community gift comes from Turner’s willingness to welcome the community into her store just to talk.
Turner shared that one of the highlights of her day is when the middle school students stop by to get some candy and share about their day. She often asks them what their favorite part of their day was or a random act of kindness they witnessed. They are always welcome to share if they had a rough day as well.
Turner is able to touch the lives of many people, making Parker’s a different store and Turner a true Salem City treasure. She not only shows young people they matter and are valued, but she also joins in memorable family milestones of her customers.
Whether helping someone pick the perfect engagement ring or gently guiding memorial jewelry decisions, Turner becomes an important figure in the life of her customer and no doubt soon to be friend.
No matter the occasion or reason for stopping in, Turner and “The Parker Girls” show the entire community they are welcome and loved.
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