Before the venerable Ben Bridge jewelry store could move to a larger flagship location, president and CEO Lisa Bridge wanted to get the blessing of three people: her father, Ed; her uncle Jonathan; and her grandfather Bob.
“We are a generational business, so I had to talk to them about what they thought,” she says. Though Ben Bridge‘s main shop had been in the same place for 94 years, everyone was an enthusiastic “yes” on relocating, and the jeweler made its move—increasing its flagship’s size by a third, to 5,315 square feet, with a store inside the historic O’Shea Building at 1530 5th Ave. in Seattle, where the brand was founded 111 years ago.
“We found this spectacular location at the corner in the heart of downtown Seattle,” Lisa Bridge says. “Streams of people pass by daily, and the foot traffic is just phenomenal.”
The new store, which celebrated its grand opening June 8, pays tribute to Seattle and Ben Bridge’s longstanding presence in the city—and to the craft that goes into making art and jewelry—in its decor and artwork, reflecting the jeweler’s love for its hometown, Bridge says.
Prominent wood display cases have a live edge, so they resemble trees in Seattle’s nearby forests. Realistic-looking moss seems to grow at the display cases’ base, giving a sense that you are walking through the woods as you shop. The store also exhibits geodes and has stone throughout, bringing more natural elements from the outside to the inside.
“Seattle is home,” Lisa Bridge says. “As many cities are, Seattle is reenvisioning itself. The last few years have been challenging. But we’ve all weathered many storms together in downtown Seattle, and we love being a part of this next phase. It’s been gratifying in the week surrounding the grand opening to see how much that means to the people in Seattle. We believe in that bright future and there are really great things happening in the city.”
Bridge says the company moved so it would have more space and a more prominent location. “We wanted to be able to grow and give a larger presence to our brand partners as well as our collections,” she says. “We also wanted to offer a broader assortment overall. This was a great opportunity to chart the next chapter for our brand. In retail, you have to continue to evolve and meet the needs of successive generations of customers. We have to create a dynamic shopping experience.”
The new flagship carries Ben Bridge’s proprietary collections, including Ikuma, Toscano Gold, and Bella Ponte Bridal. The store also has a dedicated Rolex “shop in shop” with a vast selection of the iconic brand’s watches.
Ben Bridge has been led by five generations of the Bridge family and has 36 stores nationwide. The jeweler has been a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s holding company, for more than two decades.
A family photo from the grand-opening celebration will be a treasured item on Lisa Bridge’s desk for a long time, she says. “I feel very thankful that I got to share that evening and the store with my father, uncle, and grandfather. Each has spent their lives building Ben Bridge and investing in our city. I could see their pride—they were effervescent. We are all so proud of what we created.”
Top: Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, second from right, prepares to cut the ribbon on the brand’s new flagship store in downtown Seattle, flanked by store manager John Maietta (far right) and her husband, Gilad Berenstein. Bridge family members on hand for the opening (from left): Zach, Bob, Ed, Pam, Bobbi, Jonathan, and Bobbe Bridge. (Photos courtesy of Ben Bridge)
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
