Jeanine pays tribute to the Jewel of Orleans….
On April 4th, one of the long-standing stores in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square closed its doors. The Jewel of Orleans, an estate jewelry store, had been resident there since 1997 (taking the place of Mlle. Antoinette’s Perfumerie) but finally fell victim to the poor economy this year. It was run by Dianne’s Estate Jewellery which will continue to have two locations open in San Francisco and Healdsburg, and will hold the occasional local trunk show for people on their mailing list.
The store itself was fairly small but elegantly decorated, with much of the decor said to be supervised by Lillian Disney herself. It sold a variety of attractive baubles, some priced as high as $45,000. While perhaps not a priority attraction for the typical park-goer, it was apparently not uncommon for couples to buy engagement rings there and propose in the parks with them later.
Losing a place like this might not seem like much, in the grand scheme of things. For me, however, the presence of a store that sold merchandise so specific to the land it was in, that had nothing in it so overtly trademarked as to draw you out of the illusion of place, was fairly significant. People argue that pins and vinylmation are what the buyers want, and they may well be right–but it seems as though there should be room for these small specialty retailers as well, particularly when they lend the area such an air of verisimilitude.
On one of the last days it was open, I went by and took a few photos and assembled them into a slideshow. Some of the jewelry is doubtless available at their website, www.DiannesEstateJewelry.com, but the dragon ring is not, as it came into my possession from there many years ago.
-I know it sounds boring, but it’s the boring things I remember most.
–Russell, from “Up.”
Perhaps Givenchy will set up a shop there since they are setting up in France at EPCOT in Walt Disney World? I think the store would fit into the theme and location.
Another victory for the lowest common denominator.
I have never been to Disneyland, but have been to WDW many times. I must say that the enjoyment I once found in exploring the shops has been lost over the years as Disney has homogenized their merchandising so that every shop has almost exactly the same merchandise. I used to enjoy knowing that I could find some unique treasure in almost every shop. Now I find that I skip most of the shops altogether. It’s really very sad. But I find I don’t spend as much money as I used to. Thanks for a great story.
I visit Disneyland several times a year and had never paused long enough to explore this shop. REGRET! Wish I had, because it looks like the kind of place I could’ve gotten lost in for a while. I also like the idea that it was a unique store selling unique items, and a place where couples could find their engagement rings. Those memories last far longer than a cheap plastic trinket. This is truly a shame. : (
I greatly miss the One-of-a-Kind Shop and the Gourmet Shop that once lined the streets of New Orleans Square. Disney merchandise is readily available on Main Street, it doesn’t need to permeate every nook and cranny of the park. I so wish that the powers-that-be would understand that unique shops like these and Jewels of Orleans are part of the atmosphere — they make us believe we’re actually in Louisiana. I’m sure Disney souvenirs offer a better profit margin, but it doesn’t always need to be about the “bottom line.”
The World According to Jack
Wow I can’t believe they closed it, that is so sad. I am from the midwest and I just made my second trip to Disneyland on March 26th and 27th, and the sign for that store was my favorite sign in the whole park! Do you have a picture of it lit up at night, it is even lovelier. I have one that I would be glad to share if you don’t. Thanks for the post!