Wedding Bells and Cash Registers Ring in Wake of Same-Sex Marriage
Chelsea, NY — With popular “Mister and Mister” marriage cards flying off of his shelves, Chelsea gift and jewelry store owner Jay Gurewitsch stood behind the counter of his shop and prepared his Monday order.
“Get me rings — fast!” said Gurewitsch, anticipating a rush of clients to his shop Arcadia at 228 Eighth Ave. “Business people have been screaming for gay marriage for years —[this bill’s passage] is a winning situation for everyone.”
Gurewitsch has been selling wedding rings to gay and straight customers in Chelsea for 11 years, but said he decided to hold his store’s first jewelry sale in four years in honor of the vote.
“It’s a way of celebrating instantly,” said Gurewitsch, who proposed to his partner back in October.
Across Manhattan, business owners are hailing Friday’s passage of the Marriage Equality Act, which legalizes gay marriage in New York State. The bill, which will go into effect July 24, is already inspiring new marriage proposals and provoking excitement over increased business. The Stainless steel “Cosmo” ring with three .01ct Diamonds, one of the potential wedding bands on sale at Arcadia. (Arcadia)
City and state officials predict thousands of people will flock to the city for “marriage tourism,” and estimate the state could see $400 million in revenue over the next three years from weddings, sales-tax and license fees.
