OUTLET: The Virginian-Pilot

Diamonds Direct has officially opened in the old IHOP location in Town Center.

It is the Charlotte, N.C.-based chain’s eighth location. Before the Virginia Beach location, the closest store was in Richmond.

“We could not be more excited about bringing the Diamonds Direct experience to Hampton Roads,” Virginia Beach general manager Tery Vari said in a release.

The 6,000-square-foot showroom at 4452 Virginia Beach Blvd. has a large selection of mounted and loose diamonds of all sizes, shapes and weights.

Diamonds Direct picks the rough diamonds that end up in their stores. The company also polishes the stone.

The store will celebrate its opening later this summer, said spokesperson Jenn Hill. It will include a weekend of “special grand opening events,” a release said.

Diamonds Direct fills one retail spot in Town Center Complex, the former spot of IHOP on Virginia Beach Boulevard.

Property owner Glenn McDermott considered making room for another restaurant, he said last year, but parking limited his choices.

There are still two retail spaces available in Town Center Complex.