The Phoenix Group is continuing its expansion plans with the launch of Brown & Company, housing three of its relocated departments in the former HA&E Smith building on Reid Street.

Phoenix Centre departments, Hallmark, Bookmart and Annex II, are now housed in the newly retrofitted Brown & Company building.

The store ? believed to be named for Phoenix Stores owner Wendell Brown ? contains 7,500 square feet of additional floor space featuring three general merchandise departments including greeting cards and accessories, books and a temporary Christmas location for Annex Toys II, a subdivision of The Annex Toys Store.

In January, phase two of development and expansion work continues in the Brown & Company building when the current 7,500 square foot retail space will increase in size to approximately 20,000 square feet. The cornerstone of the project is the addition of a new store concept that will occupy the Front and Queen Street sections of the building.

A complete renovation and remerchandising of all retail space is also underway, with completion expected next summer

?The shopping interest of the Bermuda community continues to be our focus and we think they?ll be pleased with the truly unique merchandise assortment and services we?re providing,? president & CEO of the Phoenix Stores, George Grundmuller said.

Customers in the new building can choose from a large selection of Hallmark products, an expanded giftware and book selection that includes popular works by local and black author, a dedicated customer service centre.

The Phoenix Stores has relocated a section of The Annex Toys store to the Brown & Co. building and has expanded its offerings to include this year?s most sought-after line of children?s toys, games and accessories. The relocation of Hallmark and Bookmart, aimed at providing an array of products and services to Bermuda?s savvy shoppers, comes on the heels of the Phoenix Stores? recent opening of P-Tech, a consumer electronics store located on Reid Street.

?Our new store location incorporates all the service and convenience features that Hallmark and Bookmart customers have come to appreciate,? Mr. Grundmuller said.

The new store carries a complete line of Hallmark greeting cards, gift and partyware, a wide assortment of candles, a large wrapping station on the Island and a state of the art full service customer centre.

?Bookmart has expanded its reading selections in a number of new categories including parenting and childcare, children?s and self-help,? Nicole Warren, Bookmart/Hallmark manager said.

?We?ve also introduced a new dedicated teacher?s resource centre and a magazine news stand featuring some of the most popular publications.?

Ms Warren also said a recent accomplishment by the local retailer underscored its commitment to offering a high level of customer service: ?We are now a very proud member of the Hallmark?s Gold Crown Group which makes us part of an elite group of stores that Hallmark considers its cream of the crop.

?We adhere to a very strict standard which ensures that Bermuda?s customers enjoy excellent service and an overall, wonderful shopping experience.?