Ben Bridge Jeweler
{{Short description|American jewelry retail chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ben Bridge Jeweler
| type = Subsidiary
| founder = Samuel Silverman
Ben Bridge
| foundation = {{start date and age|1912}}, in Seattle, Washington
| area_served = United States
| industry = Retail
| products = Jewelry
| owner =
| parent = Berkshire Hathaway
| homepage = {{URL|www.benbridge.com}}
}}
Ben Bridge Jeweler is a high-end American jewelry retailer that sells engagement rings, diamonds and watches, including Rolex, among other luxury product and is currently owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. It was established in Seattle, Washington, in 1912 and currently operates over 80 stores in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.benbridge.com/about-us.html|title=About Us - Ben Bridge Jeweler|website=www.benbridge.com}}
History
In 1912, a watchmaker named Samuel Silverman opened his first store in downtown Seattle. Silverman's son-in-law Ben Bridge joined the firm as a partner in 1922; Ben later purchased Sam's firm and renamed it Ben Bridge Jeweler. Since then, the company has expanded to over 70 retail stores in 11 different states, primarily in the western United States. In May 2000, Ben Bridge Jeweler was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.{{cite news |date=May 18, 2000 |title=Warren Buffett buys Ben Bridge Jeweler |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2000/05/15/daily13.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |accessdate=May 5, 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/news/may1800.html|title=Acquisition of Ben Bridge Jeweler|website=www.berkshirehathaway.com}} Today, the company continues to be family-operated and is currently managed by Ben's great-granddaughter Lisa Bridge.
In 2022, Ben Bridge announced plans to build a new flagship store in Downtown Seattle at a former Gap store on Pine Street, adjacent to Westlake Center.{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Joey |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Ben Bridge Jeweler plans new downtown Seattle flagship store |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/09/07/ben-bridge-flagship.html |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |accessdate=May 5, 2023}} A historic Ben Bridge street clock was planned to be moved from Pike Street to the new store, but during construction of its new foundation in April 2023, contractors pierced the roof of Westlake station under Pine Street and caused major disruptions to Link light rail service.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=May 4, 2023 |title=How a demolition crew punctured the Westlake Station ceiling |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/how-a-demolition-crew-punctured-the-westlake-station-ceiling/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 5, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Sources=
- {{cite web|title=Our Heritage|url=http://www.benbridge.com/about-us/our-heritage|website=Ben Bridge Jeweler|access-date=18 July 2015}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.benbridge.com/}}
Category:American companies established in 1912
Category:Retail companies established in 1912
Category:Jewelry retailers of the United States
Category:Companies based in Seattle
Category:1912 establishments in Washington (state)
Category:2000 mergers and acquisitions
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