New Owner Revives Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Furniture Brand After Bankruptcy

According to The Street, High inflation, rising interest rates, supply chain issues, and shifting consumer attitudes over the past year have significantly affected furniture retailers, forcing several companies into bankruptcy and, in some cases, leading to store closures. These pressures have created a challenging environment for brands already operating on thin margins.

Z Gallerie Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In October 2023, the parent company of Z Gallerie, an upscale furniture and home decor retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Operating 21 stores across nine states, Z Gallerie was severely impacted by the increased costs of imports and supply chain disruptions in 2021 and 2022, which reduced its profitability and drained cash reserves.

The RoomPlace Restructures Through Bankruptcy

The RoomPlace, a furniture and mattress retailer based in Lombard, Illinois, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 2, 2024. The company sought to restructure its debt while closing underperforming stores, including six in the Indianapolis area, one in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and one in Peoria, Illinois. Declining retail sales across the industry and other challenges in the furniture sector were cited as reasons for the filing. The retailer now plans to focus on strengthening its remaining 18 stores in the Chicago area.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Ceases Operations

Upscale furniture chain Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams faced financial turmoil, leading it to cease operations on August 26, 2023. The company closed 27 stores across 14 states and subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 6, 2023. However, unable to secure the necessary financing, the company converted the bankruptcy case to Chapter 7 liquidation a month later. More than 500 employees were laid off following the sudden closure.

The company had also operated 40 virtual stores and six brick-and-mortar outlet locations. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams had been owned by the Stephens Group since 2014, which had invested $20 million in the brand, but after a lender withdrew support, the company was forced to shut down.

Also read: After Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, retail chain may get lifeline

Surya Acquires Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Plans a Relaunch

Despite the company’s closure, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams saw a lifeline when home furnishings and design company Surya acquired its intellectual property, inventory, and manufacturing equipment in a bankruptcy sale. On November 14, 2023, Surya completed the acquisition and announced plans to relaunch the brand as a trade-only partner, targeting interior designers and design-driven retailers.

Surya even hired co-founder Mitchell Gold as an advisor for the brand’s fall product lineup. In August 2023, Surya unveiled 50 iconic Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furniture pieces available in over 200 configurations for purchase by designers.

High Point Market Relaunch and Delivery Solutions

Surya plans to reintroduce the brand at the High Point Market from October 24-28, 2024, in its showroom at the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point, North Carolina. This relaunch comes after a federal judge approved the sale of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ intellectual property in 2023, allowing some customers to receive frozen orders that had been stuck in the company’s bankruptcy process.

At the time, Ryder, a shipping company, had withheld around 2,000 deliveries for which Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams had not paid. A court-approved agreement allowed customers to pay Ryder directly for delivery, with Ryder waiving storage fees, resolving a significant delivery backlog.