IndependentsAug 10, 2021
Shetler Expands Amid Acquisition of Medlars Jewel Masters IndependentsAug 18, 2021
Lee Michaels Has a New 10,000-Square-Foot Store on the Way
The independent retailer will move its New Orleans store to a new location, slated to open in the fall of 2022.
A sketch of the new 10,000-square-foot freestanding Lee Michaels store in Metairie, Louisiana, set to open in the fall of 2022
Metairie, La.—Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry is expanding in Louisiana.
The retailer announced recently it has broken ground on a 10,000-square-foot store at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans.
The new, freestanding location will be more than double the size of the current store, which is located inside the mall, allowing Lee Michaels to grow its market presence and add new merchandise lines.
The new store will have two entrances.
One will be for the fine jewelry section of the store which will include shop-in-shops of brands like David Yurman, Roberto Coin, and Mikimoto, as well as a bridal selection.
The other entrance will be for the watch section of the store, including a Rolex corner as well as Tudor and TAG Heuer spaces.
Related stories will be right here …
The retailer announced recently it has broken ground on a 10,000-square-foot store at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans.
The new, freestanding location will be more than double the size of the current store, which is located inside the mall, allowing Lee Michaels to grow its market presence and add new merchandise lines.
The new store will have two entrances.
One will be for the fine jewelry section of the store which will include shop-in-shops of brands like David Yurman, Roberto Coin, and Mikimoto, as well as a bridal selection.
The other entrance will be for the watch section of the store, including a Rolex corner as well as Tudor and TAG Heuer spaces.
Lee Michaels said it expects to open its new location in the Lakeside Shopping Center, where it has been doing business for 25 years, in the fall of 2022.
Lee Michaels operates nine stores across four states, opening its most recent in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier this year.
The company is a member of both Jewelers of America and the American Gem Society, and is currently in the second generation of ownership and management, led by Ryan Berg, Scott Berg, and Chad Berg.
“We are constantly looking to innovate and grow. We have enjoyed our Lakeside location for the last 25 years, but it is time to enhance our customer experience and the environment in which they shop,” said Lee Michael Berg, founder and chairman of the board.
“We are excited not only for our customers to see the new store, but also for our sales associates, who are our greatest asset. This is just as exciting for many of them who have been with us for 20-plus years.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
