Roman Jewelers Opens New Store With Sweet Proposal

Roman Jewelers' Sophie Shor said when she and her husband Roman arrived in the United States after emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1980, they didn't have much.

"But we did have a strong belief in the freedoms America offers," she said Wednesday to a packed showroom at her family's new Bridgewater store. Among those freedoms was the freedom to build their own business—highlighted by the new store.

Roman Jewelers began in Flemington, and has operated a store in Bridgewater Commons for years—but the Shors envisioned a better space and in May, announced plans to refurbish and build in the space formerly occupied by AAA Travel and Insurance. 

The result is a stunning, state-of-the-art showroom, with display cases custom designed and built with help from Roman Shor. 

Sophie Shor noted that because of the family's appreciation of the freedoms they've enjoyed, they wanted to show their support for military personnel who help protect them and celebrated the store's grand opening by presenting an engagement ring, valued at $10,000, to former U.S. Marine Cpl. Michael Moore Jr., of Camden County, when he proposed to his longtime girlfriend Jenna Yoder at the grand opening.

Noting their relationship has endured some difficult challenges after they met after he was injured in Iraq. He planned to propose a little more than a year ago—but Superstorm Sandy dashed their plans by damaging their home and eating up their savings.

"It has been a long road since fate brought me and Jenna together in 2006; since it brought us back together in 2009," Moore told the crowded storeroom.  "And now it's putting us together, pulling out all the stops."

With that, he whirled around and knelt.

"Without further ado," he said. "Jenna Marie Yoder, will you marry me?"