Cavender’s brings 80-plus jobs to town…
Scores of new jobs will soon two-step into Gladewater with Cavender’s primed to occupy a ready-made facility that once housed the community’s number two employer.
An estimated 65-80 jobs (or more) are in the mix, meaning the former Texas Die Casting complex on Loop 485 could once again be the home of the town’s second largest employee roster, this time under the Cavender’s banner as a distribution center.
The ink’s still wet on the deal, and only limited details are currently available. Gladewater Economic Development Corporation’s board signed off on the unspecified project following a closed door meeting March 12; some aspects were discussed in the local Planning & Zoning public meeting March 13 and confirmed by city officials in recent days. Meanwhile, the nationwide Western outfitter is one of 14 companies taking part in a Texas Workforce Solutions job fair later this month.
On Monday, GEDCO Director Anna Conlan had no comment on the development, which is still in progress.
Last year in particular saw substantial revitalization efforts on the former Texas Die Casting structures at 600 S. Loop 485. The company, which closed in August 2020, was one of the leading aluminum die cast manufacturers in the United States, producing components for a wide range of markets including appliance, automotive, electronics, instruments, lighting and general industry.
At its peak, TDC had the city’s No. 2 employment roster behind Gladewater ISD and its 300 employees.
According to the Cavender’s website, the East Texas company was founded in Pittsburg in 1965. James and Pat Cavender’s venture has long-since become “the premier Western clothing store for the American South and Southwest,” and remains a family business today under the direction of the founders’ three sons Joe, Mike and Clay.
“At Cavender’s you can expect to find just what you’re looking for from friendly folks offering a helping hand because ‘This is How We Live.'”
The company celebrated the opening of its 100th store in Cedar Park in September 2024.
Credit Union of Texas in Gilmer is hosting the multi-employer job fair from Workforce Solutions East Texas from 9 a.m. to noon March 27 at the ‘Gilmer Gathers’ building at 107 E. Marshall St. Registration is required and space is limited. Participants are asked to sign up before March 20 via bit.ly/gilmerjobfair2025.
“It’s really important,” Conlan said of the job fair. Cultivating quality candidates for a wide range of participating local companies, “I think it’s going to be a great thing.”