Welcome Letter

happy holidays, dear friends!

While most people wait until Christmas morning to unwrap gifts, we feel as if we’ve been opening presents throughout 2022.

One of the biggest gifts of all is that the restrictions of the pandemic are largely behind us. It’s wonderful to be able to hug each other, sit close and share good times with family and friends again.

For the Berg family, another gift has been the third generation of Bergs’ interest in joining the family business. Zach and Emily, the eldest grandchildren of Lee and Brenda Berg, worked as sales associates during their summer break from college. “I felt so proud to see my son, Zach, in our San Antonio store,” says Ryan, Lee Michaels co-president. “Seeing my son work in the store reminds me when I had my first exposure to the company. I love his enthusiasm and excitement for the business.”

“It’s hard to describe how amazing I felt when my daughter, Emily, asked if she could work in the Baton Rouge store this summer,” says Scott, Lee Michaels co-president. “Now I know how Dad must have felt when we helped him at the Cortana Mall store. Déjà vu!”

Another gift is the extraordinary growth Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry has experienced in 2022. “This has enabled us to focus on updating and reinvesting in our business,” says Chad Berg, Lee Michaels co-president.

“We’ve renovated the Baton Rouge store, built a brand new store in New Orleans that’s double the size of the previous one (it even has a separate entrance for Rolex customers), have just completed renovating our Shreveport store and have exciting plans for our San Antonio stores in the coming years,” says Chad.

These upgrades take luxury to a new level. “For example, in our New Orleans store, we’re adding dedicated boutiques (stores within a store) for providers like Rolex, David Yurman, Roberto Coin and Mikimoto,” says Scott. “We’ve also expanded our inventory to the greatest level in our history.”

“We plan to elevate every store over the next few years so our customers can enjoy the most luxurious shopping experience ever,” says Ryan.” We are on a quest to be the best in each of our markets.”

Another gift that Lee Michaels is grateful for is its extraordinary team of sales associates. “As much as we value elegant merchandise, extravagant selection and exquisitely appointed stores, our greatest gift to customers is our team of highly trained associates,” says Lee, Lee Michaels founder. “We can build beautiful stores but, with retail changing so quickly, we have to make sure our associates are the best trained in the industry.”

“For example, this year we are bringing the Gemological Institute of America’s school to Louisiana so that 15 of our associates can take its advanced training course in diamonds,” says Scott.

As 2022 draws to a close, we look back with gratitude on all the gifts we’ve received and with pride on all the dreams we’ve realized. Thank you for making it possible.

Wishing you blessings beyond measure in 2023, Lee Berg, Ryan Berg, Scott Berg, Chad Berg