A jeweler launching his own Prosecco sounds unexpected, until you hear how celebration sits at the heart of both. We sit down with Ben from Blakeman’s to trace the path from showroom sparkle to $24 bubbles on local shelves, and why that choice wasn’t about chasing prestige but designing for real moments people share. From the first pop to the final sip, he shows how taste, value, and presentation combine into a brand experience that feels premium without feeling out of reach.

We dig into the details that make a difference: thicker, hand‑carved Italian glass that telegraphs quality at a glance, and a simple chill ritual that ensures the pour matches the promise. Ben walks through the distribution map, Bentonville’s Guess Who, Angkor off Pleasant Grove, Liquor World in Fayetteville, plus Bordinos, Pinnacle Country Club, and Ermilio’s, to keep discovery close to where celebrations already happen. The strategy is intentional and local, giving Northwest Arkansas a sparkling option with the right balance of price and pride.

Then comes the masterclass in branding: the purple bag. Instead of leaning into industry blues or neutral black, Blakeman’s chose a distinctive purple palette that turned packaging into anticipation. Families now look for the purple bag under the tree, on birthdays, and during Valentine’s Day, proof that when service, product, and presentation align, a simple color becomes a promise of joy. We share personal stories, a holiday prank with a surprise purple box, and the small traditions that turn customers into communities. If you care about brand building, retail strategy, or the psychology of gifting, you’ll find practical insight and a few smile‑worthy moments all the way through.

Enjoy the conversation, share it with a friend who loves great branding and better bubbles, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a quick review so more people can discover the show.

More About this Episode

Where Celebration, Craft, and Community Come Together in Northwest Arkansas

In Northwest Arkansas, a brand does not earn loyalty by accident. It earns it by showing up consistently, paying attention to details, and creating experiences that people remember long after the purchase is made. That philosophy sits at the center of Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry, and it explains why a jewelry store in Bentonville decided to put its name on a bottle of Prosecco, why a purple bag has become a regional symbol of celebration, and why customers talk about the brand as if it is part of their family traditions.

At first glance, jewelry and Prosecco might seem like an unusual pairing. But when you look closer, the decision makes perfect sense. Both are tied to moments that matter. Engagements, anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and milestones are not just transactions. They are emotional markers in people’s lives. Blakeman’s has built its reputation by understanding that connection and leaning into it with intention.

Why a Jeweler Created a Prosecco

The idea behind Blakeman’s Prosecco was not to chase a trend or slap a logo on a novelty product. It was about alignment. Jewelry is often purchased to mark a celebration, and bubbles naturally belong in those same moments. A sparkling wine fits effortlessly into the Blakeman’s brand because it complements the emotion already present when customers walk through the door.

Choosing Prosecco over Champagne was a deliberate decision rooted in fairness and accessibility. Champagne carries a global price premium that does not always correlate with enjoyment. Prosecco, when done well, delivers freshness, balance, and approachability without sacrificing quality. That distinction matters to a brand that defines itself as premium but fair.

At around twenty four dollars a bottle, Blakeman’s Prosecco sits above mass market options without drifting into exclusivity for exclusivity’s sake. It signals care in production and presentation while remaining attainable for customers who want to elevate a celebration without overthinking the cost.

Craftsmanship Beyond the Jewelry Case

One of the most striking elements of Blakeman’s Prosecco is the bottle itself. The glass is thicker and hand carved in Italy, giving it a substantial feel that mirrors the craftsmanship customers expect from fine jewelry. The weight of the bottle, the texture of the glass, and the way the light plays through the wine all reinforce the same message. This is a product designed with intention.

That heavier glass also changes how the wine is handled. It takes longer to chill, which led to a simple but important recommendation. Keep it cold, and about ten minutes before opening, place it in the freezer or ice. That small detail reflects something bigger about the brand. Blakeman’s pays attention to how people actually use their products, not just how they look on a shelf.

Even a story about a bottle found buried in an ice machine becomes part of the charm. It humanizes the brand and reminds customers that these products live in real homes, not just showrooms.

Distribution Rooted in Community

Blakeman’s Prosecco is not sold inside the jewelry store, and that choice reinforces trust. Customers know the jeweler is staying in its lane while partnering with local businesses to bring the product to market. Availability across Northwest Arkansas at locations like Guess Who in Bentonville, Angkor in Rogers, Liquor World in Fayetteville, Bordinos Restaurant, Pinnacle Country Club, and Ermilio’s in Eureka Springs keeps the Prosecco woven into the same community that supports the jewelry store.

These partnerships matter. They strengthen local relationships and place the brand in everyday moments, not just milestone purchases. When someone orders a glass of Prosecco at dinner or brings a bottle to a gathering, Blakeman’s becomes part of the story without needing to sell another piece of jewelry.

The Power of the Purple Bag

If the Prosecco represents celebration, the purple bag represents anticipation. Branding in the jewelry world often leans toward safe choices. Black, white, and shades of blue dominate the industry. Blakeman’s chose purple intentionally, not to imitate anyone else, but to stand apart.

Purple carries a sense of richness, creativity, and warmth. Over time, it has become more than packaging. It is a signal. When a purple bag appears under a Christmas tree or at a birthday, it communicates something before it is ever opened. Something meaningful is inside.

That recognition is not about the color alone. It is about consistency in service, product quality, and emotional delivery. Customers do not ask if a gift is from Blakeman’s. They ask if there is a purple bag. That shift in language is the clearest sign that a brand has moved from being a store to being a symbol.

The idea of a “purple bag holiday” did not emerge from a marketing brainstorm. It came from customers responding to the experience. Once the brand noticed that response, it leaned in, refining the color palette with complementary tones and reinforcing the identity across every touchpoint.

When Branding Becomes Tradition

The most telling stories are not about sales numbers or expansion plans. They are about family rituals. In many households across Northwest Arkansas, the presence or absence of a purple bag on Christmas morning carries real weight. It has reached the level of tradition, where expectations are set long before the wrapping paper is torn.

Some gifts are even disguised to heighten the surprise. A sneaker box hides a purple box. A moment of confusion turns into delight. In those situations, it almost does not matter what the jewelry is. The reaction happens as soon as the purple appears.

That emotional response is earned. It comes from years of delivering on promises and treating each purchase as part of a larger relationship. Customers trust that the purple bag represents good taste, thoughtful selection, and a feeling that the giver cared enough to get it right.

Premium Without Pretense

Blakeman’s positions itself as premium, not pretentious. That distinction is critical. Premium means attention to detail, high standards, and products that feel special. It does not mean unnecessary markups or intimidating environments.

The Prosecco reinforces that philosophy. The jewelry does the same. Even the branding language reflects it. Customers are welcomed, guided, and respected whether they are buying an engagement ring or a holiday gift.

That approach builds loyalty in a way advertising cannot. People return because they feel understood. They recommend the store because it made them look good in front of someone they love. Over time, that cycle creates a following that feels personal rather than transactional.

A Brand Built on Trust and Gratitude

Behind every story about bottles, bags, and branding is a deeper appreciation for the community that supports the business. Blakeman’s success in Northwest Arkansas did not happen in isolation. It came from customers choosing to come back, to share their experiences, and to make the brand part of their lives.

Gratitude is not just expressed verbally. It shows up in the effort to maintain standards, expand thoughtfully, and protect the meaning behind the purple bag. Growth matters, but not at the expense of what made the brand recognizable in the first place.

More Than Jewelry, More Than Wine

Blakeman’s Prosecco is not about becoming a beverage company. The purple bag is not about packaging trends. Both are extensions of a broader belief that celebration deserves care and that brands should enhance moments rather than distract from them.

In a region like Northwest Arkansas, where relationships matter and word travels fast, that belief has proven powerful. A bottle of Prosecco becomes a toast to craftsmanship. A purple bag becomes a promise. Together, they tell a story about how thoughtful branding, fair pricing, and genuine connection can turn a local jeweler into a lasting symbol of celebration.