Armen Stone to Open N.C. Location
BURLINGTON, N.C. – Armen Stone LLC, a North Carolina start-up stone working company, will be establishing its first facility here.
The company is purchasing the former Carolina Box Company building and will invest $3 million in the facility, creating 33 new jobs over two years. The average wage for these positions is $52,000.
The company plans to renovate the vacant 65,541 ft² manufacturing building at 322 Fonville Street, including roof repairs, office renovation, HVAC replacement, electrical and lighting upgrades, and additional interior and exterior door repairs.
Armen Stone will focus on countertop fabrication and slab distribution, concentrating on business-to-business sales. Burlington was chosen as its focal point so that the company can serve the Triad and Triangle regions in central North Carolina in both commercial and residential markets.
“We are excited to serve the growing hard surface (stone countertops and bathroom porcelain) needs of the Triad,” says Tracey Margosian, Armen Stone owner. “We see the Triad as a region that is attractive to hire for and grow our business.
“We appreciate the great support we receive from the City of Burlington leadership including planning, economic development, and City Council teams to renovate this historic facility.”
Armen Stone received a $200,000 Building Reuse Grant from the state Department of Commerce to help offset the $564,000 Armen Stone expects to spend to renovate the Fonville Street building to accommodate their operations. Burlington has successfully won five previous Building Reuse Grants since 2019. With these projects, Burlington has seen the creation of over 173 jobs and more than $10 million invested.
Armen Stone will hire supervisors, maintenance personnel, and production operators among other positions. Each full-time employee will be offered benefits, including health insurance, and the company will cover at least 50% of the cost of health-insurance coverage. The average wage for these positions is $52,000.
“By creating a technologically advanced stone working system at our new facility, we will serve the builder and designer communities in the Triad,” said Jason Nottestad, Armen Stone general manager. “As we grow, we add skilled trades helping Burlington and the region continue to prosper.
“By training and managing a new generation of stone craftspeople, we will deliver top quality products and meaningful employment.”
The City of Burlington Economic Development Department worked closely with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Burlington City Council to secure this project.
