MajorsApr 18, 2023
David’s Bridal Files for Bankruptcy, Plans to Lay Off 9K WorkersMajorsJul 05, 2023
Alex and Ani to Close Majority of Stores, R.I. Headquarters
Only seven stores will remain open, according to a report by The Boston Globe.
The Alex and Ani “Armenian Flower” bangle. The jewelry company is closing 20 locations and its Rhode Island headquarters, according to a Boston Globe report.
East Greenwich, R.I.—Alex and Ani is significantly shrinking its footprint.
The jewelry company is closing 20 locations and its headquarters in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, according to a report by The Boston Globe.
The closure will mark the first time in the company’s history that it will not have an office in its home state.
Several employees told the Globe that during a recent staff meeting, CEO Scott Burger told them the company was shutting down its headquarters and that they should gather their things and prepare to work from home that same day.
In a statement, Burger told the Globe the company was evaluating its office needs for a hybrid working model, adding its Rhode Island team would work remotely while, “we determine our future office needs and conduct a search.”
Alex and Ani could not be reached for comment on the closures.
The jewelry company had downsized its operations previously.
In March, the company partnered with Stord to outsource its warehousing and fulfillment services, putting that 125,000-square-foot section of its East Greenwich space up for lease, said the Globe.
“Our e-commerce business has rapidly grown, and we wanted a partner with expertise across our supply chain that delivers a high quality experience for our customers,” said Burger in a statement in March.
“Trusting Stord with DTC and B2B fulfillment allows our team to focus on scaling our brand, developing products, and further elevating the customer experience.”
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry company is closing 20 locations and its headquarters in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, according to a report by The Boston Globe.
The closure will mark the first time in the company’s history that it will not have an office in its home state.
Several employees told the Globe that during a recent staff meeting, CEO Scott Burger told them the company was shutting down its headquarters and that they should gather their things and prepare to work from home that same day.
In a statement, Burger told the Globe the company was evaluating its office needs for a hybrid working model, adding its Rhode Island team would work remotely while, “we determine our future office needs and conduct a search.”
Alex and Ani could not be reached for comment on the closures.
The jewelry company had downsized its operations previously.
In March, the company partnered with Stord to outsource its warehousing and fulfillment services, putting that 125,000-square-foot section of its East Greenwich space up for lease, said the Globe.
“Our e-commerce business has rapidly grown, and we wanted a partner with expertise across our supply chain that delivers a high quality experience for our customers,” said Burger in a statement in March.
“Trusting Stord with DTC and B2B fulfillment allows our team to focus on scaling our brand, developing products, and further elevating the customer experience.”
After making a big splash in the first decade of the new millennium, Alex and Ani has struggled to find its footing in recent years, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2021.
At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the company held 74 leases.
Only seven stores will remain open, executives told the Globe.
During its bankruptcy proceedings, Alex and Ani unsuccessfully looked for a buyer.
A judge then approved a Chapter 11 reorganization plan under which private equity firm Lion Capital LLP purchased debt Alex and Ani owed to various banks and upped its stake in the company to 65 percent from 59 percent.
In 2022, the company secured a $17.5 million loan to help rebuild post-bankruptcy.
The company, famous for its low-cost, collectible bangles, was founded in Rhode Island in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian, who named the company after her two eldest daughters.
The wire charm bracelets were incredibly popular in the early 2010s, sold at Alex and Ani stores nationwide and via retail partners, including chain stores and independent jewelers, with annual revenue totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
As consumers moved on to the next trend, Alex and Ani found itself saddled with debt due in part to having grown so quickly, as well as a couple of legal battles. On top of that, there was a high turnover rate among its C-suite.
Rafaelian left the company in 2020.
Late last year, she founded a new jewelry company, Metal Alchemist, which designs and crafts its jewelry in Rhode Island.
Rafaelian, an Armenian-American, also launched a charity initiative, “Alchemy for Armenia,” through her new brand to support Armenia’s historic sites, recruiting fellow Armenian-Americans Cher and physician and entrepreneur Eric Esrailian.
More on Majors
The Latest
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
