Armel Jeweler's announces return to St. Armands Circle

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. September 1, 2026

Armel Jewelers has operated on St. Armands Circle for decades, and after working to rebuild from the 2024 hurricanes, second-generation owner Michael Melnick looks forward to reopening this month.

Sarasota
Business

St. Armands Circle is home to several stalwart businesses spanning multiple generations of ownership, but few have stood longer than Armel Jewelers.

The brand launched in 1937 in New York, and the branch on St. Armands has served local patrons for 50 years. The shop closed due to the damage hurricanes Helene and Milton wrought, but second-generation owner Michael Melnick recently announced plans to reopen in mid-September.

Melnick said rebuilding at 22 N. Boulevard of the Presidents was a "long haul."

"They basically had to tear out everything," he said. "We had 4-and-half feet of standing water in the store."

However, with a shining new sign heralding the pending reopening, he is eager to start serving local clients again. Now that the display cases are in and the pieces are falling into place, his vision of the refurbished store is coming together.

Armel Jewelers has operated on St. Armands Circle for more than 50 years, and after working hard to rebuild from hurricanes Helene and Milton, the owner is excited to reopen.

Armel Jewelers takes pride in its American Gem Society membership. Besides its jewelry selection, the shop offers in-house watch and jewelry repairs, appraisals and consignments.

Melnick's parents, Solomon "Sid" and Arlene, opened the original location on Staten Island. Then, in the 1960s, they found a storefront under construction on St. Armands, and they opened the new branch before passing ownership to their son.

Melnick said the shop plans to host a grand opening later this month. Visit ArmelJewelers.com for more about the shop.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.