Press Releases

  • Ray Bleser Named Entrepreneur of the Year
    November 24, 2008

    SCHENECTADY, N.Y., October 16, 2008 - Ray Bleser, the ubiquitous radio voice and owner of Northeastern Fine Jewelry, the Capital Region's largest, family-owned jewelry company, has been named the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chamber of Schenectady County.

    Bleser will be honored by the Chamber at the Glen Sanders Mansion on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m. for his success and achievement as an "innovative leader in a business with 100 employees or less who has contributed to the growth of Schenectady County."

    A graduate of the Albany College of Pharmacy, Bleser founded his flagship store on Upper Union Street in Schenectady in 1985 before expanding to three additional locations: Albany, Manchester, VT, and the most recent addition to the Northeastern Fine Jewelry family on State Street adjacent to Proctor's Theater.


    "Ray Bleser is a true visionary who understands that success in business and support for one's community are mutually compatible objectives," said Charles P. Steiner, the president of the Chamber of Schenectady County.


    "For nearly a quarter of a century, Ray Bleser has been doing well by his customers, his employees and his community and the beneficiaries of his work and goodwill have been the residents of Schenectady County."

    In February 2008, Bleser opened his fourth family-owned store, a boutique at 432 State Street, adjacent to Proctors. The enterprise was the result of a $750,000 investment by Northeastern Fine Jewelry, prompting cheers from development officials who cited the company for demonstrating support for local and county efforts to create a vibrant arts, entertainment and technology district in the heart of downtown Schenectady.


    During the grand opening ceremony, Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, "I want to thank Ray and Valerie Bleser for their longtime investment in the City of Schenectady, for their vision and confidence in our resurging downtown, and for setting the example as one of the most successful business enterprises in the Capital Region."

    Northeastern Fine Jewelry is widely acclaimed for its original and inviting neighborhood storefronts; its award-winning customer service and support; and its extensive offering of premier jewelry brands, including Cartier, Breitling, Hearts on Fire, Lagos, Kwiat, Simon G, John Hardy, Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Lazare Kaplan and many more.