INSTORE Magazine named Gem Jewelry Boutique, 108 N. Marion Street, America’s fourth coolest jewlery store in the 2014 Small Cool division for stores with five or fewer employees.
“We are getting ready to celebrate our 10th year anniversary this fall,” wrote store owner Laura Kitsos in an email Tuesday. “So this is such a great honor for us!”
The store opened in Oak Park 10 years ago, moved to the Bucktown neighborhood in Chicago for five years and returned to Oak Park, opening at its current location on Marion Street four years ago.
The 13th annual contest is intended to highlight the best indie jewlery shops in North America.
“From it’s edgy sophistication to it’s unique product lineup, Gem Jewelty Boutique easily falls into that category,” said INSTORE executive editor Ralf Kircher in a news release.
A total of 126 stores entered this year’s contest. Each store is judged on exterior appearance, interior appearance, store biography, advertising, website and overall individuality.
As one of the top five winners, Gem will receive a trophy and will be featured in the August issue of INSTORE as well as on the magazine’s site.