Denver-based John Atencio Jewelers will shutter its stores in California and Arizona in a move attributed to the weak economy.
There are no plans to close stores in Colorado or fold the business, said John Atencio, owner and chief executive of the high-end jewelry maker.
“We are closing some stores in a difficult time,” Atencio said. “However, we still have our wholesale business and the local stores that will continue.”
Slowing sales and higher costs contributed to the decision to close the four stores, including one in Santa Clara, Calif., that has been open for less than a year. The other stores slated for closure are in Scottsdale, Ariz., and San Francisco, which has two stores.
“This is not scheduled to be a rapid closure; it’s not going to happen tomorrow,” Atencio said. “We’re going to take it kind of slow, in a kind of take- care-of-business way. The actual closing dates will depend on sales from this point.”
The company affirmed that the closures will not affect current warranties on any of its products.
John Atencio Jewelers has five retail stores, a design studio and three production facilities in the Denver metro area.
Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier: 303-954-1661 or jsteltonholtmeier @denverpost.com
