Zachary’s Jewelers Marks 20-Year Resilience with Community-Focused Celebration and Grant Program

Zachary’s Jewelers celebrated 20 years at its flagship location at 100 Main Street with a special Fire & Ice event that highlighted the company's Year of Gratitude initiative. The anniversary celebration honored the community that helped the business rebuild after a catastrophic five-alarm fire in 2005 that destroyed its original storefront and two neighboring buildings. Despite the devastating loss occurring on Black Friday just days after owner Steve Samaras lost his father, the community rallied to help the jeweler reopen in just seven days at its current location.

The Fire & Ice theme paid tribute to both the destructive fire and the community's ice-cool support during the crisis. Competitors offered temporary space, a local bank provided vault storage for jewelry, and Zachary's landlord closed his souvenir shop to house the jeweler—the same location the business occupies today. The anniversary event featured live music, tastings from Seasons Olive Oil and special activations from Marco Bicego, including a trunk show and themed lounge. The evening also included the presentation of the inaugural Zachary's Small Business Grant and a donation to The Friends of the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company.

As an extension of its gratitude initiative, Zachary's launched its Small Business Grant program to support local entrepreneurs making meaningful differences in the community. Nearly 50 local businesses applied for the $5,000 award, which recognizes businesses that bring humanity to retail by investing in people, serving the community, and operating with empathy and intention. The grant recipient was Amanda Fisher, founder of ABF Coaching, who helps women in mission-driven roles lead with purpose and impact.

The anniversary celebration underscores how Zachary's has transformed from a fine jewelry retailer into a community institution that values human connections over material possessions. The business's resilience following the 2005 fire and its ongoing commitment to supporting other local enterprises demonstrates how retail establishments can serve as pillars of community strength and mutual support. This approach has not only sustained Zachary's through challenging times but has also created a model for how businesses can integrate social responsibility into their core operations while maintaining commercial success.