While some areas in Downtown Columbus are on the upswing with new residential and retail development, others are still seeing store closures. The stretch of Main Street through the heart of Downtown has seen the departure of clothing boutiques CJ Daniels and T. Jazz Fashions in recent years, as well as the recent relocation of Y Sadiq Diamond, which held a soft opening yesterday at their new store at the renovated Shops at Worthington Place mall.
We spoke recently with Yusuf Sadiq, Owner of Y Sadiq Diamond to find out more about their move from Downtown Columbus to Worthington and what customers can expect in the new and improved store.
Q: First, can you tell us a bit about the reason for the move from Downtown to Worthington?
A: After eight years on East Main Street in Downtown Columbus, Y Sadiq Diamond reached its maximum potential for the 750 square foot showroom and needed to make a move. Rather than be situated in a destination location like the Downtown store, we sought a location with strong walk-by traffic, a welcoming atmosphere and upscale demographics. A long citywide search for a unique location to support the growing business led us to the City of Worthington. Since it is located in the northern central part of Columbus on I-270 between 315 and 23, the convenient setting provides great access for local dwellers as well as residents from other nearby boroughs.
Q: What drew you specifically to The Shops at Worthington Place?
A: The Shops at Worthington Place, formerly known as The Worthington Mall, is now under new management, undergoing major renovations with the opening of many new stores. We have been scoping it out for quite some time. However, it began to catch our attention when management invested in modern infrastructure, enhanced aesthetics and a compatible retail store mix. We soon began to realize that the shops catered to customers similar to ours and that we would be in good company.
Q: How does the size of the new space compare to your previous location?
A: Being downtown came with its benefits and challenges. The previous store had a total of 750 square feet with only 400 square feet of showroom floor space, limiting future growth plans. Our beautiful Swarovski crystal chandelier fit perfectly underneath black tin ceilings, centered above cherry hardwood floors and surrounded by exposed brick. This created a comfortable yet sophisticated urban jewelry suite. However, parking on a one way street proved difficult to find even for the most determined customers on a busy day. In the new location, customers will find ample parking on all sides of the mall and once again enjoy the tasteful upscale décor that includes marble tiles and hardwood maple flooring. With the additional square footage, clients will enjoy more room to browse and discover a wider selection of inventory. And of course, the Chandelier stays.
Q: Are you going to be offering any new products or services at the new store?
A: As always, we will maintain our niche in unique, intricate fine jewelry and continue to serve our clients with excellent quality, superior service and exceptional value. We look forward to expanding existing lines like the ‘I Do Collection’ engagement rings. In addition, clients will see more colored gemstones, watches, bracelets and fashion jewelry including our new Lactose stainless steel product line. Customers can continue to expect custom design jewelry, appraisals, repairs and other services. As the store grows, more services and products will be made available.
More information can be found online at www.ysadiqdiamond.com.