Day’s Jewelers is coming to the Marketplace at Augusta in early December, according to a company press release.

The store will be in the location formally occupied by the Gap.

“We’re very excited to be coming back to Augusta,” company president David Harris said in the release. “Day’s has been a Maine-owned family business for more than 100 years, and we thought it fitting that we should have a store in the state’s capital city.”

Day’s had a store in downtown Augusta for more than 40 years until it closed in 1985 as part of the company’s original owners’ retirement plan, Harris said.

The store, the company’s seventh, will be 6,000 square feet and will be a full-service location offering on premises professional jewelry and watch repairs, custom jewelry design, engraving and appraisals.

“We want every member of the family to be comfortable and feel welcome,” Harris said. “While mom’s shopping, kids can enjoy their own special fun room and dad can sit back and watch the game.”

There will be water and treats for dogs, too.

The release said Augusta planning officials and the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce helped procure building permits so the store could open during the holiday season.

“We are thrilled to know that a high-quality organization like Day’s Jewelers is joining the many others in making Augusta their next location,” Cunningham said by phone Tuesday. “This kind of confidence confirms that there are great things happening here.”

Renovations at the new location began last week. The company said the store will have about 15 employees when it opens, including several new hires.

Jason Pafundi — 621-5663

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ