Smyth Jewelers held a groundbreaking ceremony at its new Timonium, Md., location today. The planned 50,000-sq.-ft. building, said by the jeweler to be “the largest single jewelry store in the nation,” is scheduled to open in fall 2004 in time for the store’s 90th anniversary celebration.

Baltimore County officials participated in the 11 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony at the site, which is on a stretch of York Road that connects the Maryland municipalities of Towson and Hunt Valley and is known locally as the “golden mile.”

The planned “state-of-the-art” showroom will be bigger and better than its previous location, Smyth Jewelers said in a release. In addition to new and expanded collections of fine jewels, gifts, and collectibles, the store will have on-site machine- and hand-engraving services, a larger sales and service staff, master jewelers and artisans, and additional parking.

Obrecht-Riehl Properties and Obrecht Reality Services, Inc. will lead the construction of the building.

“With this move to our beautiful new building on York Road, Smyth will be able to provide customers with an expanded product line in an easily accessible location, while keeping our emphasis on value, quality and service,” said Tom Smyth, president of Smyth Jewelers.

JCK