Courtesy of Hannoush Jewelers
By Susan Elise Campbell
Hannoush Jewelers has opened a new shop in Queensbury at 1054 Route 9. It is the third location for two brothers who “happen to be part of a big family of jewelers” according to David Hannoush, who co-owns the Albany, Clifton Park, and now Queensbury retail stores with his brother, Albert.
“Our father is the oldest of eight brothers and Albert and I are the oldest of 36 first cousins,” said Hannoush. There are about 50 Hannoush Jewelers stores in 13 states, independently owned by different family members, he said.
The store has opened just in time for the wedding season. Hannoush said the main market for their products is the groom or bride-to-be, along with anyone shopping for quality jewelry for an anniversary or other special occasion.
The co-owners have been in partnership for upwards of two decades and decided to break with tradition some years ago by leaving the strip mall setting behind in favor of free-standing buildings. Hannoush said as a result, their stores “have become a little more high-end than when we started out.”
Quality jewelry can cater to a range of clientele and price points, and Hannoush said their full-service stores appeal to most shoppers by offering styles that range from classic and timeless to modern and trendy.
The Queensbury store had been home to Louis Jewelers, a successful business when the owner, who was planning his retirement, reached out to David and Albert to test out their interest, according to Hannoush.
They pushed back at first, and then Louis contacted them again a few months later. Hannoush said the family has friends and business associates in the area, so the market was “not foreign by any means.”
“It seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up,” said Hannoush. “With the Saratoga area growing as it has, we felt it was a good time to expand farther north.”
Hannoush said the market is as different from Clifton Park to Queensbury as Albany is to Clifton Park.
“There are going to be some different styles that are more popular in one area than another,” he said. “In general, tastes are similar but some colors or styles may be favored more by the Queensbury customer than the other stores’.”
Hannoush said, “After 40 years in the Capital Region, our stores have come to be known as ‘a family business you can trust.’ We try to sell value and educate our consumers as much as possible.”
He said that in the eyes of vendors, the Hannoush name carries “some increased buying power” that can translate to value for customers, whether an item for purchase is “under $100 or in the six figures.”
The owners are in the stores as much as possible to build client relationships, he said.
“It has never been about making a quick sale or making as much profit on one person as we can,” said Hannoush. “We try to be the place people want to come to to forge memories, to get a great experience, and to know that they are going to be able to walk out with something of value that was purchased at a great value.”
People are driven to Hannoush Jewelers for engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary gifts, and the other big gift-giving occasions, he said. But more and more over the past decade, Hannoush said self-purchasing has become increasingly important, especially for women aged 30 and over.
“Women are making more money, they have the disposable income, and so we cater more of our jewelry to that market,” he said. “If they come into the store to have an item repaired, they can walk around and see a beautiful pendant, for example, or a great pair of earrings they might walk out with.”
Hannoush and his brother each have two daughters.
“My brother’s daughters are older than mine and they have already become those women,” he said. “They are not going to wait for someone to buy an item for them, but will buy it for themselves.”
Hannoush Jewelers in Queensbury is a quarter mile from Six Flags Great Escape and easily accessible from Exit 19 or Exit 20. There is ample parking.
David and Albert Hannoush are “strong supporters of Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, the Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, school programs and other locally based causes,” Hannoush said.”If there is a way for us to help, we will try.”
The Queensbury store opened in April and there will be a Grand Opening event on June 13. Learn more at www.hannoushny.com.