Archive for August, 2007

Robbins Bros. Hires Director of Diamonds

August 29, 2007 at 7:50 pm · Filed under California, Diamonds, Los Angeles, Robbins Bros., robbins brothers

LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 29, 2007 – Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store® has named Rick Cohen as Director of Diamonds to manage and direct all diamond purchasing for the company. Cohen joined Robbins Bros. in August 2007 and reports directly to Sandy Sansavera, Vice President/General Merchandise Manager.

Cohen’s previous work experience includes a twenty-seven year career with M. Fabrikant & Sons, Inc. of New York City. Most recently Cohen occupied the Fabrikant position of Executive Vice President and was responsible for all aspects of diamond procurement for use in the American and International markets.

Now a part of the Robbins Bros. business family, Cohen comments on his decision to join the third-generation family owned company: “It was important for me to join a business that has the right culture; one with real plans for the future,” he states. “Robbins Bros. will provide the perfect environment for me to significantly contribute to the company’s growth.” Company President Andy Heyneman adds: “Cohen brings a vast experience of diamond knowledge and will certainly help propel the company to the next level. We are excited to have him on board.”

Industry affiliations for Cohen, a third-generation diamantaire, include Vice President of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association, as well as membership on the DMIA-GIA Gemological Committee and Diamond Dealers Club of New York. A lifetime resident of New York City, Cohen admits to being a diehard Yankees and Giants fan.

About Robbins Bros.

Robbins Bros. currently operates seven freestanding store locations in Southern California, three in Houston and one in Dallas, Texas. The company entered the Chicago market in Summer 2007 with stores in Schaumburg and Oak Brook, IL. The third location will open in Lincoln Park this October (www.WhatWillYouSay.com). Robbins Bros. has been featured on Today, The Tyra Banks Show, Ellen, and Dr. Phil. For more information please visit www.RobbinsBros.com or call 1-800-610-RING.

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Ring Toss Champion

August 17, 2007 at 3:47 pm · Filed under Chicago, Illinois, In the news, Ring Toss, Schaumburg, events, romance

Schaumburg woman catches bouquet, wins diamond

By Sara Faiwell
sfaiwell@dailyherald.com

So what if she’s already got the husband and a few kids – a diamond is always on a girl’s list.Schaumburg resident Lisa Prafke walked into a new jewelry store Thursday and walked out with a 1-carat diamond ring worth almost $3,000.The 47-year-old won a bouquet toss as a promotional event for the first Illinois Robbins Bros., known at the world’s biggest engagement ring store.

It opened a few weeks ago in Schaumburg, and locations in Oak Brook and Lincoln Park are coming soon.

“It’s beautiful,” Prafke said after she beat out a handful of women vying for the ring. Many wore bridesmaid’s dresses.

“My daughters are not getting it and neither are my sons,” she quickly joked afterward.

The ring she won is a three-stone diamond on white gold. It has round and princess cut stones, along with pave diamonds on the side.

The store is based in southern California and has been around for 85 years. Ninety percent of what it sells is engagement rings, and one of its trademarks is helping guys pop the question.

“Our vision is to make the dream of couples in love come true,” said company spokesman John Cordova. “We came to Chicago because there are lots of single guys who don’t know how to propose.”

Robbins Bros. is not only about selling bling.

A free service they offer is assisting men to setting up the perfect proposal.

“We’ve helped people propose on the Eiffel Tower, in a hot air balloon or on the beach,” said Cordova, who refers to himself as a romance and proposal expert.

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Robbins Bros. Celebrates Schaumburg Store Grand Opening With Style

August 16, 2007 at 6:01 pm · Filed under Chicago, Engagement Rings, Illinois, Ring Toss, Robbins Bros., Schaumburg, events, food, robbins brothers

Schaumburg Store Grand Opening

Schaumburg Store Grand Opening
Schaumburg Store Grand Opening

Bouquet Toss

Schaumburg, August 16, 2007 – Robbins Bros. celebrated in style the grand opening of its first Chicago store in Schaumburg, IL. Festivities included an ultimate Bouquet Toss in which one lucky lady adorned in her “ugliest” bridesmaid dress caught the bundle and won a free three-stone diamond engagement ring from Robbins Bros. Guests also witnessed a heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Larson of the Village of Schaumburg, live entertainment by American Idol Underground artist Martin Kember, and a welcome toast by platinum bridal jewelry designer David Cooper. Every party goer walked away content with a swag bag filled with Robbins Bros. goodies – from gift cards to jewelry.

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He Pops Question Where They Met — on L

August 15, 2007 at 8:06 pm · Filed under Blue Line Proposals, Chicago, In the news, Perfect Proposals, Public Transit, Robbins Bros., engagements, events, romance

LOOP | A Blue Line derailment four years ago was their blessing in disguise.

Corey Bell proposes to Ashley Henderson at the Clark/Lake Street
Corey Bell proposes to Ashley Henderson at the Clark/Lake Street “L” stop where they met 4 years ago. (Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)

BY TERESA SEWELL Staff Reporter/tsewell@suntimes.com

A Blue Line train derailed four years ago.

But the 10-minute inconvenience placed two young hearts on the same track.

On Wednesday, Corey Bell dropped to one knee at Clark and Lake. It was the same stop where he had asked Ashley Henderson — the stranger with the beautiful smile — for her phone number.

And it became the place where he asked her to be his wife.

Henderson thought she and relatives were headed to the Shedd Aquarium.But when Bell, 22, rode into the Clark and Lake station with a rented CTA train, filled with family and friends, red heart-shaped balloons and an “ASHLEY, WILL YOU MARRY ME? LOVE COREY” sign, she pushed back her black, shoulder-length hair and held her fingers over her eyes.

Store Helps Out

“Yes,” the 22-year-old Olympia College graduate said. “I never thought it would happen like this,” Henderson said later. “I didn’t know he had it in him. He’s always been nice and a gentleman, but this . . . I don’t know what to say.”Bell had the help of Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store. The company helped him pull it all off.

“If you could have a fantasy engagement, what would it be?” the firm asks its clients, said spokesman John Cordova.

The groom-to-be paid for the ring with the $2,500 store credit he won from the essay contest he entered this summer. The contest, coincidentally, was for couples who met on the CTA.

Bell is now a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, but he was an East-West University student when the Bellwood pair met.

“It’s amazing,” said Bell’s best friend, Steve Spiller. “A lot of people [planning an engagement] are going to have to step their game up now.”

Still shocked, Henderson could barely remember the words of Bell’s proposal — but he could.

“I told her it’s been like a fairy tale since the day we met,” he recounted. ” I want to make that fairy tale a reality. Will you marry me?”

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Riders Find Love On The CTA

August 15, 2007 at 4:50 pm · Filed under Blue Line Proposals, Chicago, In the news, Perfect Proposals, Public Transit, Robbins Bros., engagements, events, proposals, robbins brothers, romance

CHICAGO – A love struck man in Chicago made a very public display of affection on Wednesday.

Corey Bell and Ashley Henderson went for a celebration ride on the CTA after he proposed to her on the platform where they first met.
Corey Bell and Ashley Henderson went for a celebration ride on the CTA after he proposed to her on the platform where they first met.

CBS 2’s Jim Williams reports, Corey Bell, 22, popped out of a CTA Blue Line train with roses and a ring and proposed to his girlfriend, Ashley Henderson.

“Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” he asked.

She said yes to his marriage proposal right there on the platform at Clark and Lake where they first met exactly 4 years ago.

Bell said when he saw her back then he thought, “She’s beautiful. I can’t let it pass. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”

The Robbins Brothers Jewelers chartered the train, but they insist it was Bell’s idea to propose this way.

“It’s unusual for a young guy to think that romantically,” said John Cordova of Robbins Brothers.

As for the bride-to-be, she was a little overwhelmed, and said she was very embarrassed.

She actually thought she was going to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. It seems everyone was in on the surprise, including her mother, Sherry Henderson, who told her daughter a little white lie when they got to the platform and saw a big crowd.

“She was like what are all these people doing here. I was like be patient, our party will be here soon,” Sherry Henderson said.

The party got there alright. The train was packed with family and friends.

“I didn’t think he’d settle down. Anybody out there, take notes,” Bell’s niece, Belize Jones, said.

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Robbins Bros. Serves up ‘Wings and Bling’ and a little Romance to Thank Community

August 7, 2007 at 1:47 am · Filed under 93Q, Baybrook, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Houston, Jewerly, Robbins Bros., Romance Awareness Month, Romantic Music, Texas, Webster, engagements, events, food, gold, love, robbins brothers, romance, tips, wedding

Clear Lake area jeweler hosts tailgating party on Aug. 18 offering good food and music as well as celebrating Romance Awareness Month

WHO & WHAT

Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store®, invites the Clear Lake area community to stop by its Baybrook location on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 2-5 p.m.to celebrate Romance Awareness Month at a tailgating party that includes the country tunes of 93Q, scrumptious complimentary food and tips from Robbins Bros. Romance Experts on keeping a relationship hot and sunny all year long.

“Wings and Bling” is a family friendly event that will provide shoppers with a much deserved break from the crammed shopping malls during tax-free weekend and appeal to sports enthusiasts looking to catch the Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals on the store’s large plasma screen TV.

Guests will have a chance to compete to win great ‘blinged out’ prizes, including a beautiful 14K yellow gold diamond ladies band valued at $695. In addition to the stunning band, pearl necklaces and Robbins Bros. gift cards will also be up for grabs.

In honor of Romance Awareness Month in August, Robbins Bros. store manager Lori Powell can offer great ideas for couples to start their own heat wave and to reenergize their relationship.

RSVP is recommended for this event:
kmoore@robbinsbros.com/713-867-3220.

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007
2 – 5 p.m.

Robbins Bros. – Baybrook
1251 W. Bay Area Blvd.
Webster, Texas 77598

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Robbins Bros. Makes Wedding Dream Come True for Houston Couple

August 7, 2007 at 12:50 am · Filed under Bridal Services, Dream wedding, Engagement Rings, Houston, Jewerly, Robbins Bros., Texas, Wedding Planning, engagements, love, reception, robbins brothers, romance, wedding

World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store hosts its first in-store wedding and reception for local couple

HOUSTON, Aug. 7, 2007 – Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store®, held its first in-store wedding in Houston for a young couple who might otherwise have celebrated the occasion alone and with little fanfare.

On Friday, Aug. 3, Jesse Miller and Tara Rodriguez visited the Robbins Bros. store located near the Galleria area in Houston to purchase wedding rings. Ray Sullins, a sales associate for Robbins Bros, assisted the couple in selecting rings that met their modest budget. After further discussions with Sullins, the couple selected two simple and elegant bands they felt would represent the love that they have for each other just as well as any higher priced rings. The next morning, with this couple on his mind, Sullins called Jesse and Tara to follow-up on their wedding plans. He was surprised to learn that the two planned to get married by a Justice of the Peace that afternoon. Since the couple recently moved to Houston, they had no family or friends to attend the wedding and to help them celebrate the happy occasion.

Sullins, an ordained minister, immediately decided that he could not let this couple get married by themselves. After all, he knew that Robbins Bros. is all about love and romance. He offered to donate his time and services to marry Jesse and Tara and rallied the rest of the staff to help with the ceremony and reception. After further planning, it was decided that the wedding should take place that afternoon inside Robbins Bros.

“I work as a part time salesperson for Robbins Bros, because I love being a part of the romance that comes with this job,” said Sullins. “I felt that our store would be a much better place than the Justice of the Peace to hold the ceremony. We would have plenty of loving and caring witnesses and best of all, we are free.”

At 2:00 p.m. on August 4, Robbins Bros. had its first in-store wedding. General Manager J.D. Dahler walked the beaming bride down the aisle. Etienne Boyd and Kristi Gonzalez, both Robbins Bros. associates, served as best man and maid-of-honor. Robbins Bros. provided the bouquet, rose petals for the aisle, champagne and glasses, and a wedding cake.

“We had a fantastic time and are so grateful to Ray and the folks at Robbins Bros. for making our special day even more special” said Miller. “Tara and I are still amazed at how quickly they pulled together to give us a proper wedding.”

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