Zachary's Jewelers Honors Community Resilience with Small Business Grant Program Launch

Zachary's Jewelers marked two decades at its flagship 100 Main Street location with a Fire & Ice event on August 23, commemorating both its anniversary and the community support that facilitated its remarkable recovery from a catastrophic 2005 fire. The family-owned jeweler utilized this milestone occasion to introduce its Small Business Grant program, awarding $5,000 to ABF Coaching while simultaneously presenting a donation to The Friends of the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company.

Owner Steve Samaras reflected on the business's extraordinary journey, recalling how a five-alarm fire on November 25, 2005, completely destroyed the original storefront and two adjacent buildings mere days after he experienced the personal loss of his father. The community's immediate response proved instrumental to survival, with competitors offering temporary retail space, a local bank providing secure vault storage, and the landlord closing his souvenir shop to house the jeweler—the very location Zachary's occupies today. The business reopened just one week later with a holiday party attracting over 400 guests, launching one of its most successful holiday seasons despite the recent tragedy.

The Fire & Ice theme paid tribute to this demonstrated resilience, while the newly launched grant program extends Zachary's Year of Gratitude initiative that honors businesses bringing humanity to retail operations. Nearly 50 local businesses applied for the inaugural award, which specifically recognizes investment in people, community service, and empathetic business practices. Recipient Amanda Fisher of ABF Coaching assists women in mission-driven roles to lead with purpose and impact, addressing significant underrepresentation in leadership positions despite women comprising approximately 75% of the social impact workforce.

Fisher emphasized that the grant provides essential breathing room to create expanded opportunities for female leaders and enable more meaningful community contributions. Zachary's continues its mission of humanizing retail through investing in local traditions, supporting small businesses, and creating profound customer experiences, reinforced by longstanding team members including Evangeline Ross, Errol Daly, Doug Mixer, and Erica Cureton who provided crucial support during the business's most challenging period.