How Redlands Jewelers Modernized Their Comfort and Found Lasting Value with Burgeson’s
In the world of fine jewelry, precision, comfort, and care are everything. For Redlands Jewelers, a legacy business with over five decades of local history—maintaining a comfortable environment for both its artisans and loyal customers is vital to preserving the excellence they've built their reputation on. So, when their HVAC systems began failing, it wasn’t just an inconvenience, it was a threat to their craft and customer experience.
The solution? Partnering with a name they could trust: Burgeson’s.
A FAMILY LEGACY BUILT ON CRAFTSMANSHIP AND COMMUNITY
Redlands Jewelers isn’t just another jewelry store. It’s a cornerstone of historic downtown Redlands. The story began when Dave Ahlers, a master jeweler trained under some of the industry’s finest, took over the business in 1995. With decades of experience and a reputation for expert repair work, Dave carried the brand forward with craftsmanship at its core.
In 1998, his son Brian Ahlers joined the business straight out of high school, trained as a gemologist, and soon took the business to new heights. Over the years, Brian evolved the store from a repair-focused shop into a full-service jewelry destination offering fine jewelry, custom design, and expert repair. Today, Brian is the President and CEO of Redlands Jewelers and the driving force behind its growth, modernization, and continued relevance.
With a customer-first ethos and deep roots in the community, Redlands Jewelers is a business that knows the value of quality partnerships. Which is why, when it came time to reimagine their building’s comfort systems, they turned to Burgeson’s.
OUTDATED SYSTEMS, UNEVEN AIR, AND A GROWING NEED
After completing a major remodel in 2021 to celebrate the business’s 50th anniversary, Redlands Jewelers had transformed visually—but behind the scenes, comfort issues were building. Of the three HVAC units in the store, one had died completely, another was noisy and inefficient, and uneven air distribution left staff and customers battling uncomfortable temperature differences.
“The girls up front were freezing, while the shop and office were hot,” Brian explained. “It was just uneven air. I needed someone to look at the space and give me a real solution, not a one-size-fits-all.”
That’s when he called Burgeson’s Heating, A/C, Electrical, Solar and Plumbing.
HONEST ADVICE THAT PUT COMFORT OVER PROFIT
When Burgeson’s Vice President Andy Reade arrived, he didn’t try to sell a big-ticket solution right away. Instead, he listened. He walked the space, understood the problem, and offered options. Initially, the conversation was around replacing two of the failing traditional units—but then, Andy suggested a smarter, more efficient alternative: mini-split systems.
“With mini splits, you can control each room individually,” Brian recalled. “That was the golden ticket. Now the shop—where we generate a lot of heat—feels great. My office is perfect. The team up front isn’t freezing. Everyone’s happy.”
What made the experience stand out even more was Burgeson’s integrity.
“Andy could’ve made more money recommending a huge new unit,” Brian said. “But he didn’t. He recommended what was right for us. That says everything.”
SEAMLESS, RESPECTFUL INSTALLATION
Installing a new HVAC system in the middle of an active retail business isn’t easy—but Burgeson’s made it feel effortless. The team scheduled early-morning work to avoid interfering with store hours, respected the retail environment, and communicated clearly every step of the way.
“They were great,” said Brian. “Very respectful of my time and my customers. That flexibility was important.”
WHY COMFORT MATTERS IN FINE JEWELRY
Redlands Jewelers is a place where craftsmanship meets customer service—and the environment supports both.
“Comfort is everything. For my jewelers, it helps them focus. For my customers, it’s about creating a welcoming space where they can relax, shop, and enjoy the experience,” Brian explained. “It’s like offering them coffee, water—or even a shot of whiskey. It’s part of what makes our store feel like home.”
A SHARED ETHOS OF INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE
For Brian Ahlers, choosing Burgeson’s wasn’t just about fixing air conditioning. It was about partnering with a company that shares their values: integrity, long-term relationships, and doing what’s right—even when it’s not the most profitable.
“Burgeson’s is like us,” Brian said. “They’ve been around forever, they’ve got a great reputation, and they care about people. That’s why we choose to work with them. Because they’re on our side.”
