Golden Mickey & Minnie figures in limited editions will be sold exclusively at Hong Kong Disneyland when it opens in 2005-2006

Well-known Hong Kong jewellery retailer, Chow Sang Sang, will operate Disney's first jewellery shop worldwide when the US theme park opens in the SAR in 2006.

The deal will entitle the Hong Kong jeweller to operate a 170-square-metre shop on the Main Street USA of Hong Kong Disneyland. On offer will be jewellery in diamonds, gold, silver and platinum and gold Mickey and Minnie figurines in limited editions that are exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland. Other products will include traditional dragon and phoenix bangles adorned with cartoon characters for couples wanting to tie the knot in the park.

"From time to time, we will produce collectible items based on scenes or themes of Hong Kong Disneyland. One item could be Sleeping Beauty's castle in gold and diamonds," said Chow Sang Sang group general manager Vincent Chow.

He added that Hong Kong and overseas designers from Japan and Italy would be engaged to develop unique product offerings for Disneyland visitors.

An artist impression of Chow Sang Sang jewellery shop to be located on Main Street USA of the theme park providing a magical shopping experience for visitors

Group managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland, Don Robinson, said the jewellery shop was one of their adaptations to the local market. "Shopping is a major leisure activity for the visitors and residents of Hong Kong. The strong brand and solid management of Chow Sang Sang, along with their quality jewellery and strong sense of the local market will ensure a magical shopping experience for our guests."  

Jewellery will be among the 5,000 merchandise items available for sale in the park. Chow Sang Sang's agreement came a few months after another Hong Kong company, Maxim's Caterers, inked a similar deal with Disney to operate a Chinese restaurant and a pastry shop in the park.

The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in 1999 as a venture between the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government. Scheduled to be completed by 2005-2006, phase one build-out includes a projected 10 million annual visitor Disneyland style theme park, two hotels and areas for retail, dining and entertainment. It is estimated that phase one of the project will generate an economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period.     

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Hong Kong Disneyland
Chow Sang Sang