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Jeweler Bleser named 'entrepreneur of the year'

October 24, 2008

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Schenectady, N.Y.—Northeastern Fine Jewelry's Ray Bleser has been named the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chamber of Schenectady County.

The Chamber honored Bleser at the Glen Sanders Mansion on Tuesday, Oct. 21, for his success and achievement as an "innovative leader in a business with 100 employees or less who has contributed to the growth of Schenectady County."

"Ray Bleser is a true visionary who understands that success in business and support for one's community are mutually compatible objectives," Chamber of Schenectady County President Charles P. Steiner said in a media release. "For nearly a quarter of a century, Ray Bleser has been doing well by his customers, his employees and his community, and the beneficiaries of his work and goodwill have been the residents of Schenectady County."

Bleser founded his flagship store at 1607 Upper Union St. in Schenectady in 1985 before expanding to three additional locations: 1575 Western Ave. in Albany, N.Y., 4620 Main St. in Manchester Center, Vt., and 432 State St. in Schenectady.

Bleser opened the State Street boutique—his fourth family-owned store—in February 2008. The enterprise was the result of a $750,000 investment by Northeastern Fine Jewelry, prompting cheers from development officials who cited the company for demonstrating support for local and county efforts to create a vibrant arts, entertainment and technology district in the heart of downtown Schenectady.

During the grand opening ceremony, Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, "I want to thank Ray and Valerie Bleser for their longtime investment in the City of Schenectady, for their vision and confidence in our resurging downtown, and for setting the example as one of the most successful business enterprises in the Capital Region."

Northeastern Fine Jewelry is widely acclaimed for its original and inviting neighborhood storefronts, its award-winning customer service and support, and its extensive offering of premier jewelry brands, including Breitling, Cartier, Hearts On Fire, John Hardy, Kwiat, Lagos, Lazare Kaplan, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin and Simon G.

Bleser is also renowned for his charitable endeavors and community activities.

Northeastern Fine Jewelry is a longtime partner of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society/Upstate New York-Vermont Chapter through its annual sponsorship of the Taste of Compassion fund-raiser in early February.

Most recently, Northeastern Fine Jewelry announced its newest partnership with Living Resources, which provides services to more than 1,100 individuals challenged by mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism and head trauma. Northeastern Fine Jewelry will serve as the presenting sponsor of Living Resources' 18th annual Culinary Cornucopia on Nov. 9.

In addition, the company is a major supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, the Albany Police Athletic League, Siena Athletics and the Tri-City ValleyCats.

Founded in 1980, Northeastern Fine Jewelry is the largest independently owned jeweler in the Capital Region and one of the Leading Jewelers of the World.

For more information about Northeastern Fine Jewelry, call (518) 372-3604 or visit its Web site, NEFJ.com.
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