Encore at Lake Grove

Pros

• Rebecca was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the entire process.
• Lauren, Louisa, and CJ were incredibly helpful and went out of their way to ensure the proposal was perfect.
• CJ was an amazing help and allowed customers to try on everything as many times as needed.
• Myriam V was extremely helpful and very kind.
• Ms. Chekesha Jones was fantastic; she was patient and showed many options.
• CJ provided the absolute best customer service with a smile on her face the entire time.
• Mimi is incredibly sweet and always takes the time to clean jewelry; she is patient and kind.
• Miriam at the Lake Grove Jared was friendly and helpful, offering cleaning and inspection without an appointment.
• Clarissa was incredibly helpful and kind, a great guide for finding what they wanted.
• Mimi and Penny were amazing and guided to the perfect engagement ring.

Cons

• They caution others not to use Jared for repairs, calling the service a rip-off and accusing the shop of not taking proper care of repairs and of overcharging compared to sizing.
• They describe a prolonged, frustrating watch repair experience with a malfunctioning calendar, a broken bracelet clasp, poor communication, and repeated delays, leading to a decision not to return.
• They report a negative in-store experience where staff did not acknowledge them, the sales associate was condescending and pushy, and there was pressure to rush an engagement ring decision.
• They note that the store's service had deteriorated from past experiences, implying a decline in quality.

Review

A steady thread running through these experiences is a strong emphasis on personalized service and jewelry expertise at Jared's, with the Lake Grove location featuring prominently in many encounters. Customers repeatedly describe feeling welcomed, heard, and guided through a variety of tasks - from resizing engagement rings and cleaning to choosing custom settings and wedding bands. The common thread is not just the products themselves, but the people who stand beside customers throughout their journey: attentive, knowledgeable staff who take the time to explain options, answer questions, and ensure that the final piece aligns with a couple's hopes and timeline. After shopping at another store, several reviewers still found Jared's to be a standout choice, underscoring the value of a consistently attentive, professional approach.

Several reviews center on the engagement ring process, where staff members are singled out for making the experience smoother and more confident. Rebecca appears as a trusted helper during resizing, praised for her attentiveness and expertise across the whole process. In another set of notes, CJ emerges as a standout consultant who not only helped with an engagement ring but also assisted with a second design project - an urgent custom setting intended to help a proposal go perfectly. The sense of going above and beyond is echoed by customers who felt that CJ took the time to let them try on different options, walk through each choice patiently, and keep the process moving smoothly even under tight deadlines. This same level of care shows up in more routine tasks too, such as CJ aiding with cleaning or repairs while maintaining a calm, supportive presence.

The role of Myriam (often noted as Myriam Varela) is another recurring highlight. Review after review describes her as extremely helpful, patient, and kind, with a knack for turning practical needs into pleasant conversations while handling multiple requests at once. From repairs to bookings to questions about different pieces, Myriam's willingness to explain and to stay engaged with customers appears to transform potentially stressful moments into seamless experiences. The impression of genuine care is a common refrain, with several passages noting how she greeted customers with warmth and offered thoughtful guidance that felt personalized rather than scripted. She's described as the kind of associate who makes customers feel confident in their decisions.

Another consistently praised staff member is Mimi, especially at the Lake Grove location. Reviewers frequently note Mimi's generosity with her time - whether cleaning jewelry, helping when browsing, or assisting with purchases - paired with a personal touch. One customer highlights that Mimi remembers them by name and even recalls special dates like anniversaries, which makes each visit feel special and bespoke. The sentiment recurs: Mimi's kindness, patience, and expertise leave customers with a sense that they're not just making a purchase, but building a rapport with someone who cares about their story as much as their jewelry.

Clarissa also receives high marks for her role in easing decisions and guiding customers through the process of selecting rings. She is described as both incredibly helpful and a reassuring guide for couples who arrive unsure of what they want. Partners noted that Clarissa's approach helped them feel confident in their choices, turning a potentially overwhelming design process into a smooth, collaborative experience. The sentiment across reviews is that when Clarissa is involved, customers feel supported rather than pressured, which makes the design phase feel collaborative and enjoyable rather than transactional.

Beyond individual staff accolades, several reviews celebrate the broader team's ability to deliver comprehensive services - from inspecting and cleaning rings to repairing damaged pieces and delivering insight on why certain options fit a customer's lifestyle and preferences. CJ shows up multiple times as the embodiment of this standard: patient, kind, and extremely helpful in a variety of contexts, whether it's selecting a wedding band, fixing a broken piece, or guiding a first-time buyer through the steps of an engagement. The consistent theme is that Jared's staff are not just salespeople but partners in creating meaningful moments.

Not every note is flawless, however. One reviewer offers a cautionary counterpoint about repair work, sharing a detailed account of frustration with a watch and bracelet repair scenario. The experience describes delays, repeated miscommunications, and a sense that the service did not meet expectations for value or timeliness. After a lengthy process - spanning several months without clear updates - the customer ended up with a replacement bracelet and a decision not to return. This perspective serves as a reminder that, while the majority of experiences center on warmth, customization, and reliable care, there can be gaps in service, communication, and outcomes that don't meet every customer's needs.

Taken together, the pattern in these experiences suggests a Jared store where engagement, care, and expertise are prioritized, especially in tasks surrounding engagement rings, resizing, cleaning, and repairs. The Lake Grove team - framed by the standout performances of Rebecca, CJ, Myriam, Mimi, Penny, Clarissa, and Chekesha Jones - consistently earns praise for making customers feel understood, supported, and excited about their jewelry choices. While there are occasional missteps or service gaps, the overwhelming sentiment is one of appreciation for the people who bring a high level of attentiveness, patience, and genuine care to every interaction. The result is a shopping experience that many describe as personal, thoughtful, and, ultimately, deeply satisfying as couples prepare to celebrate life's milestones.

Restaurants

• Shake Shack (0.1 miles)
• Red Lobster (0.3 miles)
• Lake Grove Diner (0.3 miles)
• Bahama Breeze (0.5 miles)
• Miller's Ale House - Lake Grove (0.6 miles)
• Applebee's (0.6 miles)
• Burger King (0.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Stony Brook 17 (0.3 miles)
• Regal Ronkonkoma (3.3 miles)
• Island 16 Cinema de Lux (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Duane Reade (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Nesconset Bagel Cafe (2.8 miles)
• Student Activities Center (3 miles)
• Crazy Beans (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)

Physicians

• Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology (0.9 miles)
• Dr Denis O'Brien, MD (1.7 miles)
• Endocrine Associates of Long Island (2.5 miles)
• Stony Brook Cancer Center (2.5 miles)
• ProHEALTH East End Eye (2.6 miles)
• Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology Group (2.7 miles)
• Branch Pediatrics (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Main Lobby (2.7 miles)
• St Catherine of Siena Medical Center (5 miles)
• John T Mather Memorial Hospital (6 miles)

Parks

• Avalon Park & Preserve (3.2 miles)
• Selden Dog Park (4 miles)
• West Meadow Beach (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• LIRR - Ronkonkoma Station (4.4 miles)
• Mid Island Air Service (5.8 miles)
• Baggage Claim (5.8 miles)
• Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) (5.8 miles)
• TSA Security Check Point (5.8 miles)