Robbins Bros. opens in Glendale

Karen S. Kim

SOUTHWEST GLENDALE -- If you’re going to propose over dinner, don’t

put the engagement ring in her food. She might eat it.

And if you’re going to propose on the beach at sunset, be sure not to

lose that expensive diamond ring in the sand.

These tips represent the kind of personal advice that customers can

expect to receive at the Robbins Bros. World’s Largest Engagement Ring

Store opening in Glendale today.

“We listen to how he’s going to do it and try and give him tips on

what to do and what not to do,” said James Goff, vice president of

marketing and new business development. “It’s about the total experience,

not just about coming in and buying a ring and ‘See you later.’ ”

The 12,560-square-foot store is designed to create a comfortable

atmosphere for men and women anxious about shopping for an engagement

ring.

A lounge area offers a love seat, television and Lego toy table for

kids, a cappuccino machine, cookies and a refrigerator.

“We want them to feel like they’re walking into a homey, comfortable

environment because they’re so nervous and stressed out,” said Steve

Robbins, chairman and chief executive officer of Robbins Bros., adding

that he often gets invited to his customers’ weddings. “We want to loosen

them up, so we get them a cappuccino, calm them down, get to know them,

and before you know it, we’re friends.”

Customers usually include couples searching for a ring together, women

browsing alone and men looking to surprise their girlfriends with an

engagement ring, Goff said.

Engagement ring sales have increased since the Sept. 11 tragedy,

Robbins said.

“Customers have told us that they’ve been thinking about getting

engaged for a long time, but recent events have pushed them to get

engaged sooner than they had expected to,” Robbins said.

Glendale’s location, 300 W. Colorado St., will be Robbins Bros.’

seventh location in Southern California.

The floor to ceiling glass windows of the building exhibit the

numerous display cases of jewelry inside, and a 9-foot tall globe and

mirrored engagement ring decoration hangs in front of the building.

Mannequins, made from casts of Skip and Steve Robbins’ faces, will be

washing the windows in the front of the store, Robbins said.

The store offers customers a selection of more than 3,000 rings and a

custom ring and sizing facility. In addition, the store sells bracelets,

earrings, necklaces and gifts for anniversaries and birthdays.

“We get ‘em started here, but we also want to have something to keep

the romance alive,” Goff said.

The Robbinses formerly managed William Pitt Jewelers and opened their

first Robbins Bros. business in Fullerton in 1995.