Tiffany & Co. unwraps an Eton store

photo by Jillian Kramer

Many girls dream of wearing a piece of Tiffany & Co. jewelry. And when the company opened its first Cleveland-area store this morning, their dream was suddenly within reach — or at least driving distance.

Tiffany & Co. opened its doors after a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured Tiffany-blue clad models wearing the luxury jewelry retailer's signature diamonds and pearls.

Following the ceremony, more than 50 people flooded the 2,700-square-foot Eton Chagrin Boulevard location in the seconds and were welcomed with trays of mimosas and croissants as they browsed the gleaming, glittering cases.

photo by Jillian Kramer

The Cleveland store is the third Tiffany & Co. in Ohio.

"It's just an honor to be in Cleveland," says Cathy Elward, vice president of Tiffany's Central Region, as she stood outside the store this morning and watched customers rush in. "This center is so vibrant, and has such a good representation of stores that relate to luxury."

Elward says Tiffany's Cleveland location will carry "a slice of everything that's in the flagship store," which is located in New York City. Collections include classics such as engagement rings, Tiffany Yellow Diamonds and a new line, Atlas, which features Roman numeral designs.

"Cleveland is an important market," she says. "There are many people here who have shopped at our other locations and been pleased, but now they will have a hometown store to enjoy."