Roy Hudson moved to Granite City in 1940 and began working at Skotty's Jewelry Shop. In 1944, he purchased Alfred T. Aten's Jewelry and Watch Repair Shop at 1915 1/2 State Street. The business was first called Roy D. Hudson Jewelry and Watch Repair Shop, but soon became known as Hudson's Jewelry. Within a few years, the store expanded to include all of 1915 State Street and later moved to 1901 State Street around 1958.