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The grand opening event for the new Jared The Galleria of Jewelry store is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 1, 2015) at 6307 S. Westnedge Ave.
(Al Jones | MLive/Gazette)
PORTAGE, MI - Jared The Galleria of Jewelry will have a grand opening ceremony Saturday morning (Aug. 1) at its new 6307 S. Westnedge Ave. location.
The 5,000-square-foot store, which was under construction since March, opened recently in front of the Dick's Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby stores, just north of Gladys Street.
Jared markets itself as the nation's largest off-mall, specialty retail jewelry chain. It touts having five-times the selection of items found in a conventional jewelry store, and highly sought-after brands in the jewelry industry.
The grand opening event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, with Portage Mayor Pete Strazdas, City Manager Laurence Shaffer, Council Member Nasim Ansari, Council Member Richard Ford, and Council Member Claudette Reid expected to be on hand for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Jared markets itself as the nation's largest off-mall specialty retail jewelry chain. It has free-standing stores.
It touts having stores with five-times the selection of items found in conventional jewelry stores, and promotes its sale of highly sought-after jewelry brands.
Those brands include: Tolkowsky diamonds; Leo Diamond; Neil Lane Bridal; Neil Lane Designs; Le Vian Boutiques (located within Jared stores), Lois Hill handmade pieces; the Pandora collection; Hearts Desire necklaces and earrings; TAG Heuer Swiss watches; and The Earthly Treasures Smithsonian collection.
Jared stores also feature a design and service center, a full-service repair center, a safe play area for children, and a refreshment area.
"We are incredibly proud of the growth of the Jared brand, but even more gratified that our guests continue to value the selection and experience that can only be found at our stores," Ann-Marie Patton, divisional vice president of Jared, said in a press release.
Jared is a division of Sterling Jewelers Inc., which is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Sterling Jewelers, in turn, is a subsidiary of Signet Jewelers, a worldwide operator of specialty jewelry stores.
There are about 222 Jared stores in 39 states, including seven in Michigan, according to the company's website. The next closest Jared stores are in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Mishawaka, Ind.
"Our newest location reflects everything that makes Jared special, and we look forward to serving the Portage community and many more new areas as we continue to bring the Jared experience to guests nationwide."
Grand opening promotions will include:
-A drawing to win a pair of 1-carat total weight Leo Diamond earrings. The earrings are valued at more than $4,000, according to Jared
-The first 200 guests will receive a complimentary gift valued at more than $100.
Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive Business writer Al Jones may be contacted at ajones5@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter at ajones5_al