With “retirement sale” signs bannering her Old Town Square storefront, Ann Stephens looked up from her work behind the glowing display cases of turquoise bolo ties, silver money clips and shelves of handmade Native American rings, bracelets and necklaces Friday morning.
Dressed in a crisp white blouse and khaki pants, Ann’s simple attire was offset by gleaming pieces from her own jewelry collection — a sparkling silver bracelet, an heirloom silver and turquoise pin, a pair of rings and a silver pendant necklace inlaid with a stack of small, multicolored stones.
I was there to discuss her pending retirement and the forthcoming closure of her store, Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, which has been a must-stop for Native American jewelry, art and artifacts since opening at 3 Old Town Square in 1993.
Ann obliged, dutifully running me through the 27-year history