Even a Chapter 11 bankruptcy that leads to a liquidation can’t kill some brands.
Big Lots, for example, saw multiple discount retailers take over some of its locations while one rival bought its name and reopened some closed stores under the Big Lots banner. Bed Bath & Beyond has also survived a bankruptcy auction, seeing its name sold to Overstock.com which then adopted it for the company, while opening some new stores.
Dead in retail often means “dead” like in a horror movie. Sure, you killed Jason or Freddy, but whatever magic evil they have always brings them back. In some cases, of course, it’s just greed, and bringing Michael Myers or Pinhead back doesn’t even have to make sense.
That happens in retail, too, as chains often refuse to stay dead. That was the case with RoomPlace, a 100-year-old furniture chain that died its first death after a liquidation in August, 2024.
Turned out that was only a flesh wound, since the chain made an unlikely brick-and-mortar comeback under the name Harlem Furniture.
Image source: Harlem Furniture
Harlem Furniture name was a nod to the past
After RoomPlace liquidated its assets, it reopened four stores under the Harlem Furniture name. That name was a nod to its past and a sort of return for the company.
At time of the company’s Chapter 11 filing, it was being run by Bruce Berman as CEO.
“Bruce Berman’s grandfather Sam Berman opened his first store in 1912 and it became Harlem Furniture in 1950 after opening its location on Harlem Avenue in Chicago. The company began expanding, and by 2001, the chain had over 20 stores and changed its name to The RoomPlace,” TheStreet’s Kirk O’Neill reported.
Bringing that name back was a workaround if the new company did not own the RoomPlace brand.
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Using a new, but old, name did not save the company’s physical retail presence.
“The Chicago-based retailer, formerly known as The Roomplace, filed a WARN notice with the Illinois Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity on Sept. 8. The notice indicates 35 positions will be impacted as the retailer undergoes its transition,” Furniture Today reported.
Harlem Furniture will still operate under a pure digital model.
RoomPlace’s path to Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- February 2024, Chapter 11 Filing: RoomPlace cites debt and operational challenges, closing eight stores, including six in Indianapolis.
- August 2024, asset liquidation: No acceptable bids at auction; the company holds its own store closing sales.
- April 2025, Harlem Furniture reopening: Four stores reopen under the Harlem Furniture name — a nod to the company’s history.
- September 2025, permanent closure: All four physical stores close; the brand transitions to an online-only model, impacting 35 employees.
Sources: Furniture Today, TheStreet
RoomPlace blamed interest rates
Rising interest rates and a slower housing and construction market led to RoomPlace’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, according to then-company President Valerie Berman-Knight.
“Berman-Knight was specifically referring to rates that reached higher than 7% in late 2022, and later rose toward 8% in late 2023. As a result, she noted, ‘The home furnishings industry felt an immediate and severe impact. Home sales and construction activity decreased, which negatively impacts furniture sales and profitability,'” HomeNewsNow reported.
More U.S. furniture chains that filed for bankruptcy in 2024-2025:
2024
- Conn’s HomePlus: Chapter 11; 174 locations closed
- Badcock Home Furniture & More: Liquidated 370+ stores
- Wallaroo’s Furniture & Mattresses: Chapter 11; Western U.S. locations
2025
- At Home: Chapter 11; 29 stores closed
- American Freight Furniture: Chapter 11; 328 locations closed
- Worthy’s Run Furniture: Chapter 11, still operating.
Related: 80-year-old furniture giant going out of business, liquidation sale
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