Local News

The Prickley Pear Opening in Downtown Omak

By NCBI
Oct 19, 2011

Two long-time employees of former Harrison Jewelers in Omak will open a new jewelry and clothing store in the Harrison building on Main Street November first. The new store, named The Prickly Pear, will offer fashion jewelry, high-end women's consignment clothing, fair trade purses and accessories, and jewelry repair. Co-owners are Debra Picard and Shana Hammett. They say they hope to attract former Harrison customers with Holly Yashi jewelry, a perennial best seller. They also expect to expand their clientele with a broad selection of women's attire and accessories. Select inventory items will be featured on the The Prickly Pear Facebook page.

Dean Harrison, who closed the jewelry store when he retired in January, said he is excited about the enthusiasm The Prickly Pear will bring to downtown Omak. He noted that The Prickly Pear will be an all new store, including a remodeled interior.

Harrison also has high praise for his cousin, CJ Harrison, who will provide jewelry repair and cleaning. CJ Harrison worked at Harrison Jewelers after getting his training at the American Jewelers Institute in Portland.

Store hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays. A grand opening is planned for the day after Thanksgiving, November 25th.

Both of the new store's owners have extensive experience in retail sales. Picard was Harrison Jewelers manager for sixteen years. Before that Picard worked for JC Penney for fifteen years. Hammett is former executive director of the Omak Chamber of Commerce. She also was the founder and first owner of My Girlfriend's Closet, a consignment clothing store in Main Street Market. That store had changed hands and closed in September.

Hammett says The Prickly Pear's "gently worn" clothing will be in excellent condition, featuring quality and designer labels.

Fair trade accessories will include purses from Cambodia, made from environmentally sustainable materials by workers who are guaranteed living wages and benefits. Prices range from twenty to fifty dollars. The Prickly Pear also will offer silk scarves from collectives in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Collective workers are involved in the entire process, from raising the silk worms to weaving the scarves.

Holly Yashi jewelry comes from Aracada, California, and is handmade from Niobium, a light-weight precious metal. Picard says that with prices beginning under twenty dollars, it is affordable. Holly Yashi jewelry is also hypoallergenic. Other jewelry selections will include sterling silver, pearls, and hand-crafted items by local artisans.

The Prickly Pear phone number is 509-422-9832.


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