Alpha Omega closed as mystery deepens
Alpha Omega jewelry stores in the Boston area were closed today with no explanation to customers on when or if they would reopen. And the whereabouts of the jewelry chain's owner Raman Handa, who was reported to have left the country amid mounting financial problems, remained unknown.
The company's flagship store in Cambridge's Harvard Square and the store at the Natick Collection mall were closed this morning, just five days before Christmas, and no one answered phone calls to its two other stores in Boston's Prudential Center and the Burlington Mall. There was also no answer at Alpha Omega's corporate office in Cambridge.
Alpha Omega customers were baffled and angry, with many wondering where or whether they could pick up jewelry or watches that had been ordered or dropped off for repair.
Mark Micciche, technology sales manager for Oracle Corp. in Burlington, said he was shocked to find the Alpha Omega store in the Burlington Mall dark last night, as shoppers paraded through the mall and waited in line to visit Santa Claus right across from the jewelry store. Micciche said he had earlier dropped off a Rolex watch at the store for repair and was told it was sent to Cambridge. He said he had called Handa at his home in Lexington but gotten no answer.
"This is an 18-year-old watch, and I love it," Micciche said. " My wife just told me I'm not getting another one."
(By Robert Weisman, Globe staff)
