More Than a Jewelry Store…
Hold on to your hats, sailors. A jewelry store like no other is about to make a huge splash in St. Clair, and the area’s economy is sure to see a revolutionary impact.
found October 14, 2008 at thetimesherald.com
American Diamond Importers, in its 20th year of business, plans to move to a brand new, spectacularly located and amazingly massive new store just before Thanksgiving. Owner Pat Coughlin is optimizing the beautiful view of the St. Clair River on the corner of Clinton Avenue and Riverside with an architectural design like none other. “There’s going to be shock and awe,” he promised.
The blue prints, dubbing the new ADI store a “Crystal Freighter,” ensure a stunned reaction from customers. One hundred feet from bow to stern and 25 feet wide, the new ADI will be as large as it is unique. In fact, the plans call for a total of 6,000 square feet.
Over two years in the making, Coughlin’s dream has been brought to life through the efforts and creativity of many local workers. Armstrong, Miller & Nichols – of nearby Marine City – handled the architecture, while Larry Builte Construction, based in Port Huron, was responsible for the development of the structure. Tim Horton’s, scheduled to open in the store’s large parking lot, will provide additional opportunities for employment.
3 stone engagement rings
The layout of ADI’s new location includes a glass façade with a rounded stern, where diamonds will glimmer in natural sunlight. Diagrams show the base of the “ship,” which will be metal, decorated in cultured stone. A future landscape option includes surrounding the store with a pond, giving the impression that ADI’s Crystal Freighter is traveling through water.
Special features within the store will include a children’s play area, fully stocked with activities and entertainment to keep the kids at bay while Mom and Dad shop. They’ll do so with ease, too, as a monitor on the sales floor will broadcast the playroom’s happenings.
Monitors also will carry live footage of each professional jeweler as they craft custom pieces or repair family heirlooms.
Children and parents alike will find themselves captivated by the large aquarium, separating the play area from the rest of the store. With over $100,000 worth of gemstones immersed and resting on the tank’s floor, perhaps it won’t be stocked with just any old fish. “We should use piranha,” joked Coughlin.
Men, who oftentimes find the jewelry a tedious task, will have a playroom, too. Furnished with large screen televisions, refrigerated beverages and luxurious recliners, they’ll be free to relax in a den-like atmosphere. Inspired by boaters with GPS systems and technical fishing gear, Coughlin implied the area simply provides the “toys for the boys.”
Wives or girlfriends will enjoy scouring the new store for popular and one of a kind jewelry. “Thank God young men still fall in love,” said Coughlin, declaring engagement rings to be the top selling product at ADI, which is currently located in downtown St. Clair’s Riverview Plaza. A close second on the sales roster are diamond earrings, a classic gift. Charm bracelets, specifically Pandora and Troll brands, also are very popular.
Other finds at ADI include diamonds, like the Journey collection; gemstones, presented in a variety of pieces; and precious gifts galore. Check out the Swarovski crystal, as well as Seiko clocks. Watch batteries are just $10, and all of the proceeds from their sale go directly to Kids in Distress.
Additionally, American Diamond Importers has nearly their complete line of high quality jewelry available for pre-purchase perusing, or actual sale, online. Customers can visit www.americandiamondimporters.com, and they’ll immediately find an impressive site linking them to everything from customer sales representatives to vendors’ Web sites. Due in large part to its extraordinary internet presence, America actually ranks third behind Great Britain and Australia as ADI’s largest online consumer base.
In addition to the international success of ADI, Coughlin continues to support the local community of St. Clair. Nearly every day he’s asked to support a cause, a school, or a project. Feeling blessed to be a part an industry he’s loved for a quarter of a century, he almost always obliges.
American Diamond Importers is a family-owned business. Coughlin’s wife, Marga, is on staff, along with his future daughter-in-law, Jill, and his sons, Tim and Sean. Even the family dog, Tungsten, sometimes comes along with them to work as the store mascot.
“I think of everyone on my staff as my kids,” beamed Coughlin. That’s a pretty big family–17 employees. Because of the new store’s extended hours, which keep the store open until 8 p.m., he plans to hire three or four more people, as well.
Each day, Coughlin’s motivation is clear – pleasing customers and going above and beyond for them. In return, customers have given him some great tales to tell. Among them is the story of an 88-year-old gentleman who proposed to his beloved at the ring counter of ADI, surprising her and delighting the staff. In another heartwarming account, Coughlin remembers a Charlottesville, Virginia man who flew to Michigan just to visit the store and design a custom platinum ring for his fiancée. These stories and countless others illustrate the skill and renowned reputation of ADI’s professional jewelers.
Become another satisfied customer today by taking advantage of the low prices at ADI’s Moving Sale, located at 201 Riverside Ave. Just to the north, at the corner of Clinton and Riverside Ave, Grand Opening events will begin around November 20th. Coughlin’s anticipating three to four million dollars worth of new merchandise from his vendors, promising products both beautiful and affordable.
