$2M store earns 'cool' factor

SARASOTA — A national magazine has recognized the renovation project at Diamond Vault, a family-run jewelry business that spent $2 million on a new building and redesign earlier this year.

InStore Magazine, a jewelry trade publication, ranked the store third in its “America's Coolest Stores” contest. The magazine graded stores nationwide on a list of criteria that included the store's marketing, history and exterior and interior design.

“Over the past year, my family and I have worked very hard to bring the vision of our new store to life, so we're very honored to be recognized by our industry peers with this award,” Diamond Vault owner and founder Ali Chokr says in a release.

Diamond Vault is located in the former West Marine boat accessories store on U.S. 41, near Bee Ridge Road. The Chokr family paid $1.1 million for the 6,400-square-foot building in early 2011. Renovations took about a year, and the new store opened in February. For more on the project, click here.