New James Avery store has grand opening and Texas origins

Founder James Avery stands outside his original store in 1955.

STAFF REPORT

The new James Avery store at the Prime Outlet Mall had a grand opening and a San Marcos Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting last week.

The store, located next to Saks Off Fifth, features a variety of jewelry, as well as its own original jewelry designs. Members of the Avery family were present to welcome guests.

“We’re excited to open our newest store in San Marcos,” said Paul Avery, Executive Vice President for James Avery.  “We realize it is a shopping destination that attracts people from all over Texas and beyond.  We hope with the new store that we’re able to introduce James Avery to a new group of people, as well as provide a convenient option for our loyal customers as they shop the outlet malls.”

At the grand opening, in appreciation of customer support, James Avery-San Marcos made a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Texas.

Daphne McDole, Business and Community Development Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Texas, said “We are grateful to James Avery for the financial support they have provided to enhance our Fine Arts program.”

More than 100 youths participate in the club program run by  local artisan Diana Weems.

The James Avery Jewelry store chain started at workbench in Kerville when Avery, a former B-52 bomber pilot, decided to use his University of Illinois BFA in industrial design to make jewelry in 1954. The company grew from there. After 50 years, James Avery had 59 stores with locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Lousiana, Oklahoma and Tennessee and Texas.

Best known for original and unique jewelry design, Avery employs Hill Country artisans in its design studio.

James Avery designed communion vessels that were used by Pope John Paul II to celebrate the Papal Mass in San Antonio on Sept. 13, 1987. Replicas of the original vessels are on permanent display in their visitors center in Kerrville.

Avery stepped down as CEO in 2007 and passed the torch to his son, Chris.

More information on James Avery can be found at www.jamesavery.com.