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IndependentsOct 31, 2016
Maine Jeweler Selected as State’s Retailer of the Year
The Retail Association of Maine recently recognized Waterville-based Day’s Jewelers for its charitable giving and continued growth.
From left: Jim Corey, Day’s President David Harris, Kathy Corey and Jeff Corey
Waterville, Maine--The Retail Association of Maine recently named Day’s Jewelers as its 2016 Retailer of the Year, recognizing the store for its charitable giving and growth.
The trade group, representing 400 businesses across the state, gives the annual award to a Maine retailer that demonstrates continued growth in employees or sales, commits company resources to community projects and creates a positive work environment.
The association said in a press release that it chose Day’s “for its reputation as a growing family business, patient and careful long-term growth, social, ethical and environmental responsibility, and staff development procedures.”
It gave the retailer the award at its annual meeting on Oct. 27 in Freeport.
Day’s Jewelers, which opened in 1914, was one of the first jewelers in America, and currently is only one of only six independent companies in the United States that has achieved certification by the Responsible Jewellery Council, according to the association.
In the past few years, the jeweler has worked with its staff, customers and suppliers to donate to more than 40 charitable organizations, even creating a program called “Diamonds for Peace” to help Maine residents in need by donating $10 for each loose diamond or piece of diamond jewelry sold.
The company celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2014. According to its website, it now operates six stores across Maine and New Hampshire and will be opening a seventh, in Augusta, Maine, in December.
“This is a prestigious award and Day’s is a very deserving company,” said Curtis Picard, executive director of the Retail Association of Maine. “Taking a brand that had grown, faced a reduction in the number of stores and is now expanding to a new location in Augusta--to grow it back to where it is today and (be) recognized as one of Maine’s Best Places to Work, that’s impressive.”
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