Green Oak café owner expands into the jewelry, watch business
GREEN OAK TWP. — An eatery in South Lyon has gone far beyond food, with gems, jewels, and even a build-your-own stuffed animal wall.
Susie's Gems and Jewels celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, Dec. 6, in a storefront it shares with owner Susie Ansara's existing eatery, Soup and Scoop Mediterranean Café. The business is located at 10630 Rushton Road, Suite 5, in Green Oak Township.
It's not a huge space, but the reconfiguration has packed in jewelry, watch sales and repairs without feeling too cramped.
Soup and Scoop offers carry-out gluten-free cuisine from a counter on the other side of the store, with dining space outside.
Customizable stuffed animal products are displayed along the back wall.
"I was born and raised in the jewelry business," Ansara said, adding the jewelry and watchmaking tradition started with her great-grandparents.
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Susie's Gems and Jewels offers appraisals and consignment options, and buys and sells gold and silver. The shop carries small antiques like clocks and fine décor items, as well as fine gold, silver, diamond, costume and designer jewelry.
Ansara sources her products from vendors, including designer brands like Tiffany and Swarovski, in addition to consigners and leftovers from estate sales she runs.
"We also do custom jewelry," she said. "If you bring me a picture of something ... and you want a copy of it, we can do that."
Inspired by her grandchildren, Ansara wanted to include products for children, including jewelry and stuffed animals.
"Sofia's Mystery Bags," named after her oldest granddaughter, give customers an opportunity to assemble children's necklaces and bracelets with different beads and rhinestones.
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As for the stuffed animals, customers can choose from bears, unicorns, dinosaurs and more, then select an outfit, record a voice message, get a birth certificate and stuff them.
Ansara triumphantly raised oversized red scissors above her head before cutting a ribbon in front of her shared business space Wednesday, surrounded by members of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lyon Area Chamber.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin's field representative Katy Michalski presented Ansara with a certificate of recognition for her support and contribution to the local business community, school district and first responders.
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Green Oak café owner expands into the jewelry, watch business
