James Avery Artisan Jewelry takes fresh approach to Hondo, TX expansion

August 5, 2024

James Avery Expansion

Since its founding in 1954, James Avery Artisan Jewelry has provided hand-crafted jewelry with one goal: to create designs that offer both lasting value and lasting meaning. Since 2000, the Hondo Artisan Center has been a significant supplier of designs honoring Mr. Avery’s vision to create meaningful designs. 

As the Artisan Center plans an expansion, James Avery is taking a fresh approach to support productivity by increasing the comfort and well-being of its 360 associates. The expansion, which will total approximately 9,500 square feet, will double the size of the breakroom, adding fresh food kiosks, four new bathrooms, office space, meeting rooms and a designated Mother’s Room.

“We’re excited to expand and enhance this critical part of our manufacturing facility,” noted Steven Eddy, James Avery director of manufacturing operations. “The expansion will add convenience, while enhancing team comfort, satisfaction and wellness. We’re partnering with a local vending company to broaden the selection of goods in a new self-service Mini Marketplace kiosk, providing fresh fruit, freshly made sandwiches, frozen goods and traditional vending items in the break area.”

Initiated last year and expected to be complete in October 2024, the expansion aligns with the company’s focus on capital upgrades via equipment modernization and process flow improvements. And the company expects growth to continue. 

“Since 2000, we’ve been building our workforce and our community in Hondo,” said Paul Zipp, James Avery president & COO. “Our partners across the city and at organizations like the Hondo EDC have been supportive and welcoming. We’re excited to continue growing our business here.”

“Overall, our associates have been key to our success since the beginning. So while we grow, our goal is to continue to seek ways to create a work environment that supports their comfort and health,” Eddy added.

About James Avery Artisan Jewelry®

James Avery is a vertically integrated, family-owned company located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We offer finely crafted jewelry designs for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, bronze and gemstones. James Avery jewelry is designed in the Texas Hill Country, with more than 90 percent of our pieces crafted in Kerrville, Comfort, Hondo and Corpus Christi, Texas using the finest materials sourced worldwide. We are a multi-channel retailer with 130 James Avery stores in four states. Our jewelry is also available at JamesAvery.com, over 250 Dillard’s locations and at Dillards.com and at 37 Von Maur locations and VonMaur.com. You can also find our designs at airport stores in Houston and Nashville, as well as select Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) locations.

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