Continental Diamond, St. Louis Park, MN
OWNER: Continental Diamond; ADDRESS: 1600 Utica Avenue, St. Louis Park, MN 55416; PHONE: 952-593-5602
IN CONTINENTAL DIAMOND, our runner-up Coolest Store, James and Helain Pesis have created an upscale shopping experience that makes the customer the absolute priority — and it really shows. The granite-top coffee bar at their locally-owned, family-run store serves various flavors of coffee and hot chocolate, and cookies are baked at the bar throughout the day. As Helain says, “The aroma fills the store and we always receive compliments on how great they taste!”
Shoppers with children are welcomed with open arms at Continental Diamond. Explains James of their specially-designed playroom, “We had the walls designed and hand-painted by a local artist to make the room inviting.” The room has something for everyone, with computer games for the older kids, videos for the rugrats, and a host of fun giveaways like candy, jewelry-themed fake tattoos, and pens with light-up gems. Mom and Dad are then free to browse the wooden showcases, which are placed to allow customers to wander freely around them. There’s also plenty of natural light from the large ceiling-to-floor windows.
Our judges were impressed with the high-quality feel of Continental Diamond, and they were also swayed by the obvious friendliness of the staff. As Anne Sowden points out, “While your store may be ‘cool’, your staff are just as important. The staff here are dressed to reflect the image of the store.” Karen Karch agrees, saying, “The friendliness of the staff seems great!”
Bob Olmstead felt their identity and the ‘extras’ the store offers to customers are the keys to Continental’s success. “The power of this brand is a name … and unique ‘special touch’ service that combine to create a meaningful offer,” he says. The Pesis’ branding efforts impressed Gwen Carrington as well: “There’s a wonderful congruency between the name, merchandise, design and customer service in this store. I especially like the transcendence of the brand through the store from the staff.”
And the little “extras” offered at Continental Diamond add up. Anne Sowden observes, “This is the first jewelry store I have heard of that serves coffee and cookies. The aroma would draw me in.” Karen simply proclaims, “I want a cookie!”
Bob suggests that the store could use a “more dynamic exterior build out,” while Karen feels the interior could do with more original features.
Copycat Tips:
- Well-stocked playroom for kids of all ages
- Imaginative ‘extras’ help to brand the business
Watch Out For:
- Layout might be overly traditional
- Exterior could exert more pulling power
