Friedman's Jewelers closing 2 area stores

One of the Southeast's oldest jewelers is closing its doors after 88 years.

Friedman's Jewelers will close its stores in Rock Hill and York and liquidate its remaining inventory as part of a bankruptcy plan filed in January.

Friedman's in the Rock Hill Galleria, and the store on East Liberty Street in York will be open through June as merchandise is marked down and sold, clerks said.

"We've got a lot of merchandise still in stock," York store manager Duane Robinson said, noting current discounts are up to 75 percent off the normal price. "We just started the liquidation about a week ago, and a lot of people are waiting to see how low the prices go."

Robinson said sales this month are improved from last April thanks to the clearance pricing. He said prices will continue to drop until every diamond, pearl and gem stone is sold.

Friedman's, founded in 1920 in Savannah, Ga., sold 78 of its 455 stores to Whitehall Jewelers earlier this year.

The remaining 377, including its 29 South Carolina stores, will be liquidated and shutter along with the company, its spokeswoman Melissa Jaffin said Thursday.

Rock Hill Galleria officials could not be reached Friday, and what will replace the longtime mall tenant has not been disclosed.

This story was originally published April 19, 2008 at 12:11 AM with the headline "Friedman's Jewelers closing 2 area stores."