Ray Soto, owner of Ray’s Jewelers, at work in his shop.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - There’s a saying in the profession that “old watch repairers never die, they just slowly wind down.”

That’s certainly not the case for Ray Soto, owner of Ray’s Jewelers and Watch Repair in Citrus Heights, who for the past 13 years has continued to provide batteries, watch bands, ring sizing, watch and jewelry repair to his customers. He’s looking to the future, considering adding custom laser engraving to his skillset.

The front of Ray’s Jewelers and Watch Repair, open for business.

The general amount of walk-in business isn’t what it was before the pandemic — it is slowly coming back, Soto said. His shop sees a steady number of repeat local and out-of-area customers, and new business from the children of long-time customers who still trust him with their repair needs. Other referrals come from the jewelry departments of a nearby Kohl’s Department store and Sam’s Club, as well as Batteries Plus on Greenback Lane.

“I love my work,” Soto said. “I genuinely enjoy the challenge of bringing a smile to my customers’ faces when I take something, whether it’s a much-loved watch, or a piece of a favorite costume, or fine jewelry that’s especially of sentimental value to the owner that’s in need of attention and bringing it back to something they can continue to wear and cherish.”

Just behind a display counter, his workbench is filled with tools and supplies of his trade.

It didn’t take long for Soto to replace a missing watch stem crown on a vintage Mickey Mouse Disney watch brought in for repair. Without a stem crown securely in place, its owner couldn’t set the time. Refreshed, with a new battery and replacement leather band, the watch was soon as good as new. Another customer sought his opinion on the best approach to clean and size a platinum ring.

Soto purchased the business in 2011 from his stepfather Ray Tallman when he retired. Tallman, a long-time and semi-legendary local watch repairman moved to Citrus Heights from the Bay Area in 1980, and opened the store which still bears his name. Ethel Tallman, Ray Tallman’s mother, was his business partner for over 29 years.

“Ray’s Jewelers and Watch Repair was originally located in leased space in the former Payless Drugs at the corner of San Juan Avenue and Greenback Lane,” Soto said. “It was rather common at the time for a retailer to lease space to a specialty shop like his where it provided an extra measure of physical security for him.” That location is now home to a 99-cent discount store.

“I’m largely self-taught, but I learned quite a lot from Ray while I worked with him part-time,” Soto said. He had enjoyed a satisfying professional career in commercial real estate, before deciding to purchase the business from him.

Soto, married for 30 years and now a grandfather, is the father of two daughters, neither of whom he expects will follow him into his active profession. “One’s a nurse, and the other is leaning in that career direction.”

Other local competitors include Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs in Sunrise Mall and Express Watch & Clock Repair & Service on Greenback Lane.

The retail corner of San Juan Avenue and Greenback Lane has seen a lot of developmental change since the 1980s, Soto said. He’s pleased that his repair shop has been able to weather those changes through the years.

Situated in a shopping plaza next to the Cornerstone Café and Bar, nearby businesses include the Cayuga Boxing Club and All About Pets.

“The site of a former Ralph’s grocery store which later became Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) is where Green Acres Nursery has since opened,” he said. “It’s especially good to see the area thriving again.”

Ray’s Jewelry and Watch Repair at 6026-C San Juan Ave., next to the Cornerstone restaurant in Citrus Heights, is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 916-722-0326 for more information.

Ray Soto, visor down, performs work at Ray’s Jewelers and Watch Repair.