It was the 1950s; the Jersey shore. And there it stood: The most beautiful store in the world, built out of nondescript cement block, shoved underneath a busy highway.

But Ira Jacobson knew that the modest gift store he ran with his mother housed something potentially precious. It was just a matter of time before the rest of the world knew it, too.

In his book, A Quest for Excellence: The Incredible Story of the Most Beautiful Store in the World, Jacobson tells the story of Brielle Galleries from its humble beginnings as a dusty gift store to its unmatched presence in the tableware and gift industry.

During his nearly 50-year tenure at the helm, Jacobson tapped into his deep entrepreneurial spirit, creating a jaw-dropping storefront that literally beamed beneath the overpass. Waterford chandeliers cast their light onto original art, rare porcelain pieces, and stunning china and crystal collections.

Though a friend to celebrities, presidents, and industry titans, Jacobson’s warmth toward all kept ‘em coming back to the “Museum with Price Tags.” He believed in educating his customers as well as serving them impeccably ... no matter how much they had or who they were.

A Quest for Excellence is part biography, part business how-to. Each chapter paints Jacobson’s incredible story one era at a time. And each time, there is a new lesson learned: How he turned liabilities in his favor, what inspired his unique marketing strategies, and how he relied on the strength of his employees to expand his business, one decade at a time.

Filled with anecdotes, full-color photographs, and more, A Quest for Excellence is an extraordinary story from one humble octogenarian who still has something to say.

Over the course of five decades, Ira Jacobson built Brielle Galleries into one of the country's foremost retailers of luxury goods. In the days before the Internet, Ira created a global client base and when he couldn't find enough fine porcelain to satisfy his client base, he started a porcelain studio.

Ira lives in New Jersey with his beloved wife of 50 years, Helene.