Annabellagio Shop in Duluth Closing

A storefront that has been a fixture on Main Street in Historic Downtown Duluth for 10 years is closing at the end of February, but Annabellagio owner Terrie Needham plans to continue operating her lucrative online bridal jewelry business from the rear of the shop.

Jewelry, handbags, social occasion dresses, and lingerie in the shop are on sale at 75 percent off through Feb. 25. Annabellagio is located at 3129A Main St.

The shop was a spinoff from the bridal jewelry Internet business she had started earlier. “Girls wanted to try things on,” Needham said. “And I wanted to attract walk-by traffic, so I opened the shop and added other things.”

‘It’s been fun, I’ve had a lovely time, but I’m ready to focus on my Internet business again,” she said.

Needham will continue to meet with bridal customers looking for jewelry, veils and accessories for their weddings and special occasions by appointment. Call 770-963-8399 for appointments.

Her Internet line includes bridal and special occasion jewelry she designs as well as pieces she carefully selects to complement her collection. She fills and ships orders (about 4,000 a year) from the rear of the shop. Many of her customers are retail businesses.

A jewelry buyer for Rich’s for 14-plus years, Needham decided to go into business for herself in 1991. For two years, she operated a jewelry pushcart at Perimeter Mall selling classic jewelry and “a little bit of wedding and special occasion jewelry.” The bridal jewelry was a big hit. Brides-to-be were coming up wanting eight of a certain kind of earring for their bridesmaids, she said.

After taking five or six years off to have two children and encountering a website designer familiar with the jewelry industry, she launched her Internet site. The name is a combination of the words “anna” and “bellagio,” which both mean “beautiful,” Needham said.

The Annabellagio website specializes in sophisticated yet affordable jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls and for proms. The jewelry uses cubic zirconia, faux and freshwater pearls, crystals, and other materials.

Her pushcart experience led to the Internet business that turned into the store.

A Buford resident, Needham and her husband Jim have a son and a daughter.