Zales to bring the bling to Mall at University Town Center

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Zales Jewelers will be bringing the bling to the Mall at University Town Center.

The store applied Thursday to build a new space inside the two-level, 880,000-square-foot mall.

The jewelry store will join luxury accessory stores such as Omega, Swarovski and Edward Benier, along with anchors Macy's, Dillard's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Apple.

Zales first opened in 1924 in Wichita Falls, Texas, by William and Morris Zale and Ben Lipshy creating a credit plan for customers to buy jewelry. Today, Zales has more than 750 stores offering diamond rings, wedding bands, watches and necklaces. Zales Corp.'s brands also include Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Piercing Pagoda, Mappins and Peoples in Canada.

Zales also has stores inside the DeSoto Square mall and Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Zales entered into a $1.4 billion acquisition agreement by Signet Jewelers earlier this year and shareholders are scheduled to vote on the deal May 29, according to Zales' regulatory filings. Signet operates Kay Jewelers, Jared and several regional jewelry stores including Shaw's Jewelers and Osterman Jewelers.

The upscale mall on Cattlemen Road and University Parkway is a joint venture between University Park's Benderson Development Co., and Taubman Centers, based in Michigan. The mall is expected to open Oct. 16.

Charles Schelle, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow him on Twitter@ImYourChuck.

This story was originally published May 8, 2014 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Zales to bring the bling to Mall at University Town Center ."