Hope is not lost for customers of Christian Bernard jewelry stores in Connecticut.
Stores reopened Monday for a going-out-of-business sale to allow customers to collect items left for repair, bought on layaway or placed on deposit, the state attorney general's office said. The sale could last until March.
The jewelry chain, which has stores at Westfarms Mall in Farmington and the Stamford Town Center in Stamford, filed for bankruptcy and closed immediately after Christmas.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's office worked with the bankruptcy trustee to assure consumers can collect their jewelry.
"Consumers needed protection when Christian Bernard suddenly slammed shut, leaving them in the dark about items left for repair, on deposit or on layaway," Blumenthal said in a statement.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday ordered that:
- Customers who placed a deposit or bought on layaway may collect the item after paying any remaining balance.
- Customers may receive a refund subject to the store's policy after presenting a receipt if they no longer want a layaway item or the item is no longer available.
- The store will honor gift certificates or gift cards.
Blumenthal urged customers with gift cards or certificates to redeem them as soon as possible.
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The Bankruptcy Court also allowed "augmentation," adding inventory during a going-out-of-business sale. The additional merchandise must be comparable in quality to items normally sold at Christian Bernard.
