Robbins Bros. celebrate first year

Ben Godar

While many businesses have faltered in the face of a tough

economy, Robbins Bros. of Glendale is celebrating what officials

called a successful first year.

The “World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store” will serve

refreshments today and a children’s guitar ensemble will perform at 1

p.m. as the store’s way of saying “thank you” the community.

Spokeswoman Diana Case said the celebration will be in line with the

daily atmosphere of the store.

“We’re not a stuffy jewelry store,” she said.

The 12,560-square-foot store shows a variety of sports broadcasts

to help calm nervous husbands-to-be, and plays a loop of movie

wedding moments on a 61-foot television.

Robbins Bros. opened its largest location in Glendale in October

2001. General Manager Thomas Chun said its first-year sales were the

best in the chain’s history. More than 3,200 couples selected

engagement rings at the Glendale store, and Chun said most come from

within a 5-mile radius.

The store’s success has come during a year when consumer spending

sagged. But Case said even in bad economic times, people continue to

get married.

“Compared to other businesses, we’ve been fortunate,” Case said.

“Love is always in style.”

Case hopes even those who aren’t looking for an engagement ring

will stop by today.

“We really want to open out doors to the community. We want them

to feel like our neighbors,” she said.