Westlake Village, Calif. — Just over 3 weeks after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Guitar Center appears ready to already emerge from the process. In its original filings, the Westlake Village, Calif.-based musical instrument and supplies retailer reported its business of instrument purchases, rentals, repairs and music lessons suffered amid the upheaval stemming from government-mandated shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a virtual hearing on December 17, 2020, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Huennekens, based in Richmond serving the Eastern District of Virginia, approved Guitar Center’s bankruptcy plan, according …
Chapter 11
Houston — Francesca’s Holdings Corp. will close 140 stores throughout the country by Jan. 30, 2021, the Houston-based women’s apparel and accessories retailer announced on Nov. 16. According to The Wall Street Journal, the 140 shuttered stores represent about 20% of the company’s total store count. Francesca’s also said that if the company is unable to raise sufficient capital to continue funding operations and paying obligations, it will likely seek to restructure its debt load by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Francesca’s stock price opened at $3.53 per share on …
Wilbraham, Mass. — FIC Restaurants Inc., which operates the Friendly’s brand, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and entered in an agreement to sell all of its assets to Amici Partners Group LLC. Nearly all of Friendly’s 130 corporate-owned and franchised restaurant locations, known for burgers, sandwiches and ice cream, are expected to remain open subject to COVID-19 limitations. Friendly’s stated that it has sufficient cash on hand to continue operations, meet its obligations to employees, franchisees and vendors. Upon the sale closing, Amici expects to retain most employees at …
Atlanta — On September 25, 2020, women’s apparel and fashion accessories retailer Charming Charlie reopened its first physical store at Cumberland Mall in Atlanta. This comes after the Houston-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in summer 2019 — the second time it had filed for bankruptcy in less than 2 years. At the time, the company closed all 261 of its stores across 38 states. Under the leadership of President Steve Lovell, Charming Charlie plans to roll out additional retail locations in markets across the U.S. over late 2020 …
Seattle — Sur La Table, a leading retail destination since 1972 for those passionate about cooking and entertaining, has filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey to restructure and sell 70 stores to Fortress Investment Group. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sur La Table will close its remaining 51 stores. Sur La Table has entered into a stalking horse asset purchase term sheet with affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, which is working in partnership …
San Ramon, Calif. — Fitness center retail chain 24 Hour Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection stemming from revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Ramon, Calif.-based company expects to secure $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing, which is subject to court approval. The fitness chain also intends to permanently close 132 of its 300-plus gyms. In California alone, 24 Hour Fitness will shutter 41 locations, and in Texas another 26 will permanently close as the company will focus on reopening its other gyms across the country. “If …
Dallas — Tuesday Morning Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Dallas-based retailer says the actions are in response to “the immense strain the COVID-19 pandemic and related store closures have put on the business.” Tuesday Morning is a discount home furnishings chain. The company opened its first store in 1974 and currently operates 687 stores in 39 states. The retailer expects to permanently close approximately 230 stores to focus on high-performing locations. The phased store closures will take place this summer. After closing all stores and furloughing …
Fort Worth, Texas — Pier 1 Imports, Inc. has filed a motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to begin an orderly wind-down of the company’s retail operations as soon as reasonably possible after store locations are able to reopen following the government-mandated closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the wind-down, the company intends to sell its inventory and remaining assets, including its intellectual property and e-commerce business, through the court-supervised process. “We are grateful to our dedicated and hardworking associates, millions of customers and committed vendors who have collectively …
Dallas — Gold’s Gym, a fitness chain founded in California in 1965 and now headquartered in Dallas, has filed voluntary petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as it works to restructure its debt. In a statement issued earlier this week, the company said that the financial fallout from COVID-19 has forced it to permanently close about 30 company-owned gyms. The company also said that the filing would not impact its licensing division and was not associated with any of its locally owned franchise gyms. Gold’s …
Dallas — Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) with a significant majority of its creditors to undergo a financial restructuring, substantially reducing its debt load and interest payments and supporting continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. To implement the RSA, the company has commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. As part of the process, Neiman Marcus Group has secured debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing of $675 million from creditors to enable …