More than $1 million of inventory will be displayed at Crisson Hind African Art Gallery in its newly renovated space on the ground floor of 71 Front Street.Yesterday, Crisson announced that the gallery would move from the second floor, where it has been for the last 14 years, to the ground floor. The jewellery stock that was displayed on the ground floor will be integrated into Crisson’s main 10,000-square-foot jewellery store at 55 Front Street. Two employees will retire as a result of the move.“This improvement will enable us to display all of our numerous collections to world class standards in this superior environment whilst also enabling us to achieve greater efficiencies with our inventories,” the company said in a statement.The gallery’s co-owner Dusty Hind travels to Africa, primarily Zimbabwe, once or twice a year and works with 25 master artists to bring special sculpture pieces back to Bermuda for sale.“This is a major opportunity to go mainstream with this art,” said Mr Hind. “We have more than $1 million in inventory which will be on display and a number of very large and heavy pieces that we couldn’t display on the second floor because of their weight.”The ground floor gallery is currently being reconfigured to best display the artwork and is closed until later next week.While business had been going very well until the recession, since then sales have been “soft”. By moving to the ground floor, more foot traffic might help raise the gallery’s profile to passers-by.“We’re hanging in there — this is our opportunity to show the art,” said Mr Hind.The gallery will be staffed by two full-time employees in addition to Mr Hind.Last week, Crisson closed its St George’s location on Water Street citing lack of business in the Old Town.One full-time employee lost a job in the closure.The company moved to assuage any rumours about the consolidation saying that their main store is still doing “quite well”.“Undoubtedly, there will be some speculation that these changes are the result of the present economic climate,” the company said. “To some extent this is true in that we have recognised the need to more efficiently manage our very valuable inventories and have as well initiated the retirement of two employees. Nevertheless, we have been aware for several years that our flagship 55 Front Street is our primary investment and that our 71 Front Street shop is well suited for new projects and opportunities such as we are now undertaking.”Crisson said their additional branches on Queen Street, Dockyard and in the both the Fairmont Hamilton and Southampton hotels will remain open.The Crisson Hind African Art Gallery will be open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Call 735-8833 for more information.