Footwear and accessories retailer to create 72 jobs
NASHVILLE— Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Journeys Group, a division of Nashville-based Genesco Inc., announced today the company will expand its distribution operations in Lebanon. The footwear and accessories retailer will invest $35 million and create 72 new jobs in Wilson County.
“I want to thank Journeys Group for choosing to expand in Wilson County and for its continued investment in Tennessee,” Boyd said. “There are over 263,400 Tennesseans employed in the transportation, distribution and logistics sector and it is welcomed news when a company like Journeys, with its long history in our state, chooses to bring even more jobs to this growing sector and Team Tennessee.”
Journeys, which operates more than 1,300 specialty retail stores in the United States, Canada, U.K., Republic of Ireland and Germany, will add 207,000 square feet to its current 320,000 square foot distribution facility in Lebanon. With this expansion, the company plans to add new equipment to better serve its retail and online customers. The construction of the additional square footage is set to begin by the end of the year.
“The great workforce at our Lebanon distribution center has been a key contributor to Journeys’ success over the past 15 years,” said James C. Estepa, president and chief executive officer of Journeys Group, a division of Genesco Inc. “We are excited about the Lebanon distribution center expansion to support continuing growth at Journeys. We are proud to be part of the Wilson County community, and appreciate the tremendous support of state and local officials in making this expansion a reality.”
Local leaders and partners expressed appreciation to Journeys Group for choosing to expand its operations in Wilson County.
“On behalf of the citizens of Lebanon, it’s my privilege to congratulate Journeys Group and Genesco on the decision to expand its operations in our city,” Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead said. “We realize that a company of this magnitude has multiple opportunities and alternatives to grow both its market share and service facilities. We believe that today’s announcement further confirms that businesses of this stature cannot only locate in this community but also find a supportive and business friendly environment that allows for the company’s growth.”
“It is always satisfying to learn of the expansion of one of the county’s premier businesses,” Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said. “I want to thank Journeys Group and Genesco not only for the vote of confidence in Wilson County that this investment represents, but also for the many opportunities and contributions they have made and continue to make to our county.”
“TVA and Middle Tennessee EMC congratulate Journeys on its decision to expand and create additional job opportunities in Lebanon, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to serve with our partners at the Joint Economic and Community Development Board of Wilson County, Wilson County and city of Lebanon, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help support existing business and industry growth.”
Lebanon and Wilson County are represented by Sen. Mae Beavers (R – Mt. Juliet), Rep. Mark Pody (R – Lebanon) and Rep. Susan Lynn (R – Mt. Juliet) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About Journeys Group
Journeys Group is the leading specialty retailer featuring branded fashion footwear and accessories with more than 1,300 stores in seven countries serving everyone from toddler to adult. Journeys Group operates seven banners in North America and Europe including Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Underground by Journeys, Schuh, Schuh Kids and Little Burgundy. Journeys Group is a division of Genesco Inc.
About Genesco Inc.
Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear, sports apparel and accessories in more than 2,800 retail stores and leased departments throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Germany, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Little Burgundy, Lids, Locker Room by Lids, Lids Clubhouse, Johnston & Murphy, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.shibyjourneys.com, www.schuh.co.uk, www.littleburgundyshoes.com, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.lids.ca, www.lidslockerroom.com, www.lidsclubhouse.com, http://shop.neweracap.com/ , www.trask.com, www.suregripfootwear.com and www.dockersshoes.com. The Company’s Lids Sports Group division operates the Lids headwear stores, the Locker Room by Lids and other team sports fan shops and single team clubhouse stores. In addition, Genesco sells wholesale footwear under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the Trask brand, the licensed Dockers brand, G.H. Bass & Co., SureGrip, and other brands. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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