Buxbaum Jewelry Advisors to be led by industry veteran Gary Jorgensen AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Sept. 24

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to market needs,
Buxbaum Group, one of North America's most experienced liquidators and
appraisers of retail and wholesale goods, today announced the launch of a new
venture focused on helping struggling jewelers liquidate their operations and
to get maximum returns on excess inventory. 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.

"Buxbaum Jewelry Advisors was formed in response to extreme stress in the
American jewelry business, which has been hit hard by the Internet jewelry
phenomenon as well as the economic slump," said Paul Buxbaum, CEO of the
Agoura Hills-based Buxbaum Group.

Marked by declining sales at venerable retail chains like Friedman's
Jewelers, Zales and, most recently, Whitehall Jewelers, the U.S. jewelry
business has seen a rash of bankruptcies and store closings in recent months,
noted Stevan Buxbaum, Executive Vice President. "We know this sector will
continue to contract," he said. "In fact, the Jewelers Board of Trade
estimates that probably 20% or more of independent jewelry stores will go out
of business over the next five years."

Buxbaum Jewelry Advisors will draw on decades of experience in both
jewelry liquidation and retail operations to organize, advertise and execute
sales for its clients. "Our firm has a long history in the jewelry business.
One branch of the family has operated jewelry stores since 1895, and we have
extensive experience in liquidating catalog jewelry showrooms, as well as
wholesale and retail jewelry," said Stevan Buxbaum. "In forming this venture,
we are recruiting a number of seasoned veterans in the jewelry liquidation
industry. Our clients will be able to avail themselves of some of the best,
hands-on, sales-operations talent in the country."

Day-to-day operations of the new venture will be led by jewelry industry
veteran Gary Jorgensen, who will serve as Vice President responsible for new
accounts and liquidation oversight. A certified gemologist, Jorgensen brings
over 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.

"We have known and worked with Gary for many years, including several
assignments as our lead consultant on multi-store liquidations," said Paul
Buxbaum. "His knowledge of all facets of the jewelry industry and experience
in running liquidations that generate strong sales and net returns, will make
him a valuable member of our team. We are pleased to have Gary back with us on
a full-time basis."

Commenting on his firm's association with Buxbaum Group in the new
venture, Benjamin Yogel, Metropolitan Principal and Vice President of Buxbaum
Jewelry Advisors, stated: "We are excited to partner with one of the
preeminent leaders in the liquidation industry to provide needed assistance to
the jewelry industry in these very challenging times."


About Buxbaum Group

Buxbaum Group has built its reputation for over 30 years as one of the
largest liquidators and appraisers of retail and wholesale inventories across
North America. While continuing to operate in those areas, the company has
shifted its primary focus in recent years to turnaround investing and advisory
services.


About Metropolitan

Metropolitan Equity Partners is a trusted investment partner to leading
lower-middle market and growth-stage companies. The Principals at Metropolitan
have led investments in over 30 growth stage and middle-market companies over
the course of their careers in addition to holding multiple operating roles in
private companies in special situations. Metropolitan has made five
investments in 2008, each time backing a proven management team in a strong
industry.

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