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HISTORY
Fifth Avenue Jewellers’ humble beginnings started in November 1979, under the name Unique Creations Ltd. At this time, owner Lanie Smith had a cousin who was a gold distributor back East. He approached her and her husband Doug regarding selling gold products in Kamloops. With $1000 worth of product, the “gold party” was invented. Many customers who attended these parties remain loyal customers in the store.
From that they opened a small kiosk in the city market, then to North Hills shopping center, and after a few years outgrew the one store and opened a second called Fifth Avenue Jewellers. Doug in the meantime was taking goldsmith courses and being trained as well. The first shop was at home for a few years when the boys were very young. From that the boys, Richards and Kevin chose to go into the goldsmith career as well. Richard taking his training in L.A. at the Gemological Institute of America, and Kevin taking an extensive two-year course in Kamloops.
Originally, a small kiosk was opened in the city market, and then in North Hills Shopping Center. After a few years, they outgrew one store and opened a second, called Fifth Avenue Jewellers. In the meantime, Doug was taking goldsmith courses and running the first workshop, which was in their home while their children were young. Eventually, both Richard and Kevin chose to become involved in the jewellery business. Richard was trained in Los Angeles at the Gemological Institute of America, and Kevin took an extensive two-year course in Kamloops.
As business began to improve on the south shore, a small Sahali store was opened. This eventually led to the closing of both North Shore stores and an expansion in Sahali.
In September 2002, Fifth Avenue Jewellers was given the opportunity to open a freestanding store in the Wal-Mart complex. This 3,400 square foot store is the largest jewellery store in the interior, featuring a full line of quality diamonds, jewellery, watches, home décor and giftware. A long-term relationship with suppliers gives them access to exceptional pricing, which allows them to remain very competitive with big-box stores. The objective at Fifth Avenue Jewellers is to ensure the each customer experiences their service as the best in the retail industry. By constantly seeking out new products, exceptional quality, and new innovations at an affordable price, they remain the first choice for jewellery in Kamloops.
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