BRISTOL, Va. – Friends and fellow merchants remember John Cain as a passionate spokesman for the Twin City’s downtown.
Cain, who owned The Jewel Box on State Street, died suddenly Christmas Eve. He was 62.
"He was a true believer in downtown," William King, a downtown business owner, said Thursday. "He was very, very involved and very outspoken – but always for the betterment of downtown."
Cain often stood outside his jewelry business to make sure employees of other stores didn’t take parking spots intended for customers, King said.
"I remember John Cain raising cain about downtown parking," he said.
Cain is the third longtime downtown merchant to die during 2007. William King’s father, Bill King, and Blakely-Mitchell clothing store co-owner Ted Testerman died earlier this year.
"We’ve lost a lot of good, traditional downtown merchants this year. It’s kind of tough," King said.
Cain and his wife, Ellen, opened The Jewel Box in 1987 and were active in the previous Main Street Bristol program that disbanded in 1997.
Robert Bailey, who owns Pendleton Jewelers, said he has enjoyed friendly competition with the Cains.
"He was a fine neighbor and an honest competitor," Bailey said. "It was good to have those types of people – he and his wife – on State Street."
Christina Blevins, the current Main Street executive director, said she recently spoke with Cain and was shocked to learn of his passing.
"He brought a good attitude to downtown," Blevins said. "He was very helpful and was a real go-getter. It’s a very sad loss."
Blevins said she expects Ellen Cain to continue operating the business.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 10 tonight at Blevins Funeral Home. A Liturgy of the Word service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Anne Catholic Church.
Burial will be Monday in Louisville, Ky.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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