Ben Bridge’s New Flagship Store Celebrates Seattle

Luxury jewelry retailer, Ben Bridge, opened its new flagship store in downtown Seattle, the city it has called home for more than a century.

The new corner property at 1530 5th Ave. is in the heart of downtown Seattle. Lisa Bridge, Ben Bridge’s president and CEO, says the store’s location was chosen to support the city’s downtown business district.

“This location is ‘the corner’ in downtown Seattle, both pedestrian and car traffic are tremendous, and it gives us excellent visibility. We are in the heart of the city and in prime position and have already experienced the positive impact of this central location,” Lisa Bridge said in an email interview. “We believe in the long-term vibrancy of downtown Seattle and hope other retailers view this as a positive sign, creating momentum for our hometown.”

At 5,315 square feet, the store is larger than its former Seattle location. The interior design reflects the city’s culture and history. Local elements from the region such as stone, wood, geodes and even moss are used for furnishings and displays. In a tribute to the region’s acclaimed glass-blown art culture, artworks are located throughout the store. In addition, there’s space dedicated to its 111-year history as one of the city’s oldest businesses.

“The store feels uniquely Pacific Northwest and connected to nature with these elements,” Lisa Bridge said. “We also highlight our heritage in a way that shares our stories and how we are a part of the fabric of our city. There is a richness to the environment that feels upscale but not intimidating, a place people will want to come and spend time.”

In an unusual move, the company, in showing its commitment to the community, has space dedicated to focus on stories of local nonprofit organizations.

The retailer, now a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has grown to 36 stores in 11 western states. It is one of the most influential U.S. jewelry retailers in the jewelry and watch industry. Lisa Bridge stresses that despite this growth and importance, the company remains committed to Seattle.

The store features more than a dozen well-known watch and jewelry brands, including a new dedicated Rolex “shop-in-shop,” reaffirming its longtime relationship with Swiss watch brand.

This year, there have been a number of jewelry retailers, big and small, that have invested in renovating, expanding or moving their stores. The reasons vary, but mostly it is because jewelry sales were so strong during the pandemic that it allowed these stores to renovate. Another reason is to meet changing needs among their customer base.

For Ben Bridge, Lisa Bridge says it was a decision made some time ago before the pandemic and it is timed for prolonged growth and a commitment to the city.

“Building a store this important and at this scale is a long-term investment. It has been a few years in the making, and we plan to plant our flag for many decades to come,” she said.

She also noted that sales growth in the past couple of years made the decision easier.

“We have had record years the past two years in a lesser location and a temporary space, so we are bullish on the opportunity for growth in the future. The support and validation we have received since we opened our doors has been encouraging. We also believe that this flagship store should represent who we are as a brand and where we are going. It is more than just sales volume.”

She added, “We have built our store to outlast any economic cycle and believe that what we truly sell – love, adornment, beauty, craftsmanship and connection – supersedes any one economy.”

The store officially opened June 8 with a celebration with guests representing the extended Bridge family, important clients and members of the Seattle community, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.