A lot has changed in Okotoks in 33 years but one thing has remained.

Wild Rose Jewelry, located on Elizabeth Street, has not only been in town for over 3 decades but has been in the same building, serving familiar and new faces all this time.

Co-owner of Wild Rose Jewelry Natasha Yanik says the town has changed a lot since her family has moved here.

"Dad jokes because when they moved into town it was 2,300 people and it is much more than that now." Garo, her father and co-owner of the store adds, "and we only had one stop sign, all throughout town, that's it. It was shocking when the town got their first set of lights but you get used to it after a while."

The Armenian father-daughter duo is known throughout town for their handcrafted pieces, but even though they have established themselves in this growing town they still say just because Okotoks is expanding doesn't always mean business is too.

"The way that the town is growing, your business is not growing with it, like percentage wise. We are getting to the same customers, repeat customers, but that's it. There's no new traffic." Natasha adds, "we've been here and we have lots of clients but it's just hard to find where the new people are going."

Even with the struggle for new clients the Yanikyan's say they always appreciate their returning customers and to show appreciation a 33rd-anniversary party may be in order.

"I think at the end of the month we may have coffee and donuts, or coffee and cake or something. We're still working on it, 33rd is exciting but it's not 35, so we will definitely do something for 35." Garo laughs and adds, "When it's 35 we will do something, if I am alive anyway."

To check out their handmade jewelry you can visit in person at 21 Elizabeth Street #2 or their Facebook page.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com