Headlines

James Avery to Close Jewelry Workshop, Lay Off 82

The company cited ‘unforeseen business circumstances.’

Published

4 years ago

May 16, 2020

INSTORE Staff

James Avery Artisan Jewelry plans to shut down a workshop in Fredericksburg, TX, with 82 employees to lose their jobs.

It will close on July 12, the San Antonio Express-News reports. In a notice to the Texas Workforce Commission, the company cited “unforeseen business circumstances” as the reason for its decision.

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The Fredericksburg Craftsman Center is only one of several workshops that James Avery operates in Texas. Some of the laid-off workers will have the opportunity to transfer to the Kerrville Craftsman Center.

The job cuts in Fredericksburg affect manufacturing employees. Foundry operations at the site, however, will continue, according to the Express-News.

James Avery Artisan Jewelry, which operates 90 stores in four states, announced in early April that it was furloughing many of its employees. The action came just over two weeks after the temporary closure of James Avery stores and manufacturing facilities as part of the company’s COVID-19 response. The furloughs, which began April 4, included retail and manufacturing workers along with some corporate staff. About 2,100 jobs were affected, amounting to 75 percent of James Avery’s workforce.

The company also reduced pay for all salaried associates, including executive and management teams.

Read more at the San Antonio Express-News

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