As Warehouse Opens, Alex and Ani Store in East Greenwich to Close

Prominent Rhode Island jewelry and lifestyle company Alex and Ani announced Thursday that they will be opening 12 stores across the United States this year as part of its growth strategy for 2015, but its East Greenwich retail store will be closing in the first quarter.

The company said that the operations of its store in East Greenwich, along with a store in New Haven, Conn., will “shift to other nearby locations, resulting in their closures in the first quarter of 2015.”

The company has also announced that its 100,000 square foot distribution center at 10 Briggs Drive in East Greenwich has opened and will serve as the main product fulfillment center for the company’s retail stores, e-commerce sales and retail partners across the globe.

At the same time, the company is expanding its footprint in the Chapel View retail and office complex in Cranston with a doubling of its office space. It will also move its retail store in Chapel View to a “more prominent position at Chapel View.”

“Since 2009, ALEX AND ANI has been committed to bringing our brand to consumers all over the world, with a focus on helping to grow local economies,” said Jayne Conway, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, in a release. “We continue with our commitment in 2015 with the introduction of our new distribution center, our headquarters expansion and our new stores.”

The new stores will be opened in “communities across the country to encourage growth in local economies, targeting the ALEX AND ANI consumer who has grown to expect artisanal quality that considers the wellbeing of our planet, our communities and our individual paths,” according to a company release.

The expansion began in earnest last week with the opening of its new location in Aspen, Colo.

The company now has 45 retail locations in 20 states, including the District of Columbia, and has partnered with 1,500 retailers around the world.