Buxbaum Group, liquidators and appraisers of retail and wholesale goods, launched a new venture focused on helping jewelers liquidate their operations.

The company is partnering in the new venture with Metropolitan Equity Partners, a New York City-based Private Equity firm that focuses on lower-middle market and growth-stage companies. 

The new venture will be led by jewelry industry veteran Gary Jorgensen, who will serve as vice resident responsible for new accounts and liquidation oversight. A certified gemologist, Jorgensen brings more than three decades of experience in both the retail and asset recovery sides of the business.

After closing his own store in 1987, Jorgensen began his asset recovery career with jewelry liquidator Silverman Consultants. Following 12 years with the company, he served as a lead consultant to Buxbaum Group and other major liquidators on various multi-store projects, before joining Wilkerson and Associates in 2005. Over the course of his career, he has directed orderly liquidations of hundreds of stores across North America, including projects at such companies as Friedman’s Jewelers and Sterling Jewelry and Distributing, Inc.

JCK