Downtown Alliance - Salt Lake City, Utah

^{_{Courtesy of Darren Elwood | O.C. Tanner The restoration of the old Salt Lake City library cost $25 million. The building will now serve as headquarters for retail jeweler O.C. Tanner Co.}}

Instore magazine has picked O.C. Tanner in downtown Salt Lake City as North America’s “coolest” jewelry store.

The magazine, a trade publication based in New York City, picked the restored Tanner location on State Street over 109 other stores that entered to vie for the recognition.

Said one of the magazine’s judges: “The exterior is very stately and magnificent, the restoration a true testament to this historic building. Additionally, the O.C. Tanner story of strong family and community ties is integral to their concept of this building and a key to their success.”

The store, occupying the former Hansen Planetarium building at 15 S. State St., was opened last September after a $24.5 million restoration project.

For its efforts, the company gets a trophy and a cover story in the magazine’s August issue.