Winter Park's Filthy Rich lets you glam like Elvis

Welcome to the lifestyles of the rich and famous – the “Filthy Rich” that is. Step inside one of Winter Park’s newest attractions and you will find a wealth of glittering jewels designed to make you look and feel exactly like a celebrity.

The concept behind Park Avenue’s family-run jewelry store, Filthy Rich, is simple: deck out ordinary folks in the style of Hollywood celebrities without the massive price tag.

The store carries an array of replica jewelry from Hollywood classics like earrings featured in “Gone With the Wind,” to contemporary classics like Jennifer Anniston’s Circle of Beauty necklace.

Customers can also purchase exact replicas of Elvis’ jewelry authorized by his official jeweler from the original molds.

In addition to popular celebrity styles, Filthy Rich also carries recreations of famous pieces like the De Beers three-stone diamond ring and a David Yurman-inspired twist bracelet.

“Ladies like to come in here and purchase replicas of their favorite pieces to take on vacation,” said owner Mike Shurtleff. “This way they can travel with the much less expensive replicas and leave their valuable pieces safely at home.”

He said the store is also popular with brides who want something unique to wear on their big day without breaking the bank.

A longtime Winter Park resident, Shurtleff began Filthy Rich 10 years ago after selling his successful consumer research firm.

Following the sale of his business, he opened a museum featuring replica British Crown jewels on International Drive as a fun “hobby.”

But a chance encounter in an antique shop on Orange Avenue would change everything. While browsing one day, he came across a replica of Marilyn Monroe’s pendant from “How to Marry a Millionaire.”

After purchasing it for $8, he put it on display in his museum and before he knew it, the replica of the famous pendant became the star attraction.

Realizing he was onto something, Shurtleff says he “called his sign guy and had all the signage changed,” and Filthy Rich was born.

Now with stores in 15 states and five countries, with eyes on expansion, Shurtleff and his family have turned a fun retirement hobby into a lucrative franchise.

The best part Shurtleff says was when he was able to secure the current flagship location on Park Avenue.

“I get to work with my wife and daughter every day and walk home for dinner, what could be better than that,” he said.

Shurtleff’s daughter, Tracey Kuhn came on board as store manager shortly after the Winter Park location opened this past spring.

“It’s been a dream come true for me,” said Kuhn. “It’s wonderful to spend so much time with my mom and dad. It feels good, natural.”

Everyday at work, she said, is like a day of dress up for grown-ups. They get to look and feel like celebrities, with out the big-buck price tag.

“People come in the store for the celebrity factor, but they keep coming back for the prices,” Kuhn said.

With average prices ranging around $70, fans can easily adorn themselves identically to their favorite celebrities, past or present.

Shurtleff said 50 percent of his customers are return customers.

“I think it’s because we are the most fun store on Park Avenue,” he said.

“There’s nothing like being Filthy Rich.”