Boudreaux's Jewelers, the longstanding Louisiana family-run business, is pumping a hefty $4 million into expanding and updating its Mandeville flagship store. With this project, the jewelry landmark doesn't just aim for a facelift; it's set to morph into one of the state's foremost on-site jewelry manufacturing hubs, as reported by Louisiana Economic Development.
Amidst the sheen of new jobs and economic optimism, the company is set to add two direct new jobs, featuring an average annual paycheck of $115,000—97% above St. Tammany Parish's average wage. And, according to Louisiana Economic Development, the ripple effect could result in a total of eight new job openings, factoring in six indirect positions.
"Family-owned businesses like Boudreaux’s are part of the fabric of Louisiana’s economy," LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois told Louisiana Economic Development about the initiative. The expansion effort dovetails with the state's High Impact Jobs program and aims to foster high-wage local employment opportunities.
The plan is to start construction in January 2026, with the grand reveal slated for October of the same year. With the new digs at 4550 Highway 22, Boudreaux's Jewelers is reshaping its operations without pausing the sparkling service its clientele is accustomed to, ensuring that the customer experience is uninterrupted. The upgrade is not just a nod to the present but a sturdy handshake with future growth, in an industry often marked by overseas production, Boudreaux’s Jewelers COO Brandon Boudreaux remarked.
Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden and St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation's Russell Richardson are just a couple of the local champions applauding the expansion, noting the significance of nurturing small businesses like Boudreaux's Jewelers in the community. The sentiment was echoed by President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., Michael Hecht, who highlighted the economic sparkle such investments bring to the region, according to Louisiana Economic Development.
With the project now moving forward, it’s evident that state incentives such as the Industrial Tax Exemption and the High Impact Jobs program were key factors in securing it. Louisiana’s business community, especially in St. Tammany Parish, appears ready to pin its economic hopes on established local companies like Boudreaux’s as they look toward a strong and promising future.
