Guerrero Brothers Find Jewelry Niche in Lynn
Omar & Oscar Celebrated City Opening May 1

The Lynn Item, May 18, 2004

A new jewelry store, Omar & Oscar, is sparkling in Central Square.

Brothers Omar and Oscar Guerrero opened the newest enterprise in their jewelry store chain on May 1 and business, they say, is booming.

"The store will bring many people to the area," said Omar Guerrero. "My idea is that with more people, business will follow. Make a nice business area and the people will come."

According to Guerrero, the store sells "a little of everything" and feature brands such as Fendi, Calvin Klein and Movado.

Inventory includes gold and silver jewelry, watches and diamond engagement rings.

"We did very well on our first day. People liked the store so much, some of them came back again later that day with friends and family," he said, noting that Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. was among the visitors. "It was really nice that the mayor came over to see the new store. We're trying to expand our market and it's great to have his support."

Clancy agreed. "Any time a business shows a commitment to Lynn, it's good news," they mayor said. "The city has been making a concerted effort to make the downtown more attractive for commercial development. It's nice to see those efforts paying off."

The Guerreros operated two jewelry store in Rhode Island before relocating 10 years ago to East Boston, where they opened their first Omar & Oscar jewelry store.

The brothers opened another Omar & Oscar a year later on Union Street in Lynn. They closed that store at the end of April in anticipation of opening their new, larger, and more upscale store in Central Square.

According to the brothers, the family chose Lynn for its economic prospects, and proximity to their East Boston store.

They purchased the building at the corner of Blake and Central Streets fro Scangas Realty Trust in January and redeveloped it. The restored building features three retail storefronts.

"I always wanted to do a really nice store and right here I had the type of architecture - Art Deco - that I needed," said Guerrero.

Within the redeveloped building, a new retail storefront at 43 Central Square remains available for rent.

"I believe Central Square needs more retail and people living there," he said. "We put retail in the building because I realized there was a lack of business in the area."

Guerrero said he hopes to find other entrepreneurs who share his goal of revitalizing the downtown business district.

The store is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.