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The RoomStore furniture chain has filed for bankruptcy protection as company officials project the longtime Phoenix retailer will lose about $2 million this year, the Arizona Republic reported today. Officials with The RoomStores of Phoenix LLC blamed losses on spillover from the 2008 housing crash and increased competition among furniture retailers. The company sent notices to employees last week warning of layoffs and store closures. Co-owner Alan Levitz did not specify what stores were slated for shuttering but advised in the letter that layoffs could begin in February. Levitz said if planned promotional sales were successful and if executives were able to negotiate with creditors, the company could "retain its existing footprint." He also said the majority of customers waiting on orders will get them.

American Apparel Inc. founder Dov Charney’s attempt to return to the company moved a step closer after firms backing him made nonbinding offers to buy the bankrupt retailer, Bloomberg News reported yesterday. More than one entity working with Charney have signed nonbinding letters of interest — which include the value of potential offers — and nondisclosure agreements to review the retailer’s financial documents. Charney said earlier this month that he was working with a financial adviser on an offer and that he’d been in talks with potential financial partners. He’s been trying to hatch a return to American Apparel since he was fired last year from his dual roles of chief executive officer and chairman following allegations of misconduct. Last year, Irving Place Capital was working with Charney and submitted a letter of interest with an offer price, but a deal stalled. American Apparel, which entered bankruptcy in October, said there’s currently no progress on a potential bid and no transaction to consider.

Kids tech company Fuhu had a terrific Black Friday sales promotion featuring $149 Nabi-branded tablets for $99, but the tablets haven’t shown up, and customer emails and phone calls haven’t produced a refund or an explanation, the Wall Street Journal Bankruptcy Beat Blog reported yesterday. Fuhu sent out emails warning that the Black Friday sale was such a hit, deliveries could be delayed, though the company is hoping to catch up on orders soon. Fuhu filed for chapter 11 protection on Dec. 7, low on cash and inventory, and has since secured court approval on critical motions to ensure it can continue business as usual, said Chief Executive James Mitchell. Fuhu has product to sell and is shipping orders on an expedited basis, he said. In court, a lawyer for Fuhu’s main lender, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, said that it is making accommodations to ensure the company can get product to customers.

American Apparel Inc. founder Dov Charney is working with a small investment bank on a potential bid to buy the clothing retailer out of bankruptcy, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. Charney, who has been trying to regain control of American Apparel since being ousted last year, has engaged Cardinal Advisors LLC to evaluate options, according to a statement e-mailed to Bloomberg on Friday. Charney was fired last December from his dual roles of CEO and chairman following allegations of misconduct. He has since pushed for his return without success. The retailer was struggling with losses and debt under his leadership, and its results only worsened after his dismissal. That ultimately led the chain to file for bankruptcy protection in October.

Bankrupt grocery chain Haggen said on Wednesday it had received court approval to sell 47 stores on the West Coast, most of which will go back to grocer powerhouse Albertsons, as part of a plan to emerge from chapter 11, Reuters reported. Bellingham, Wash.-based Haggen ran into debt trouble this year after a costly and ambitious expansion drive that included the purchase of 146 supermarkets from the much larger Albertsons chain. Now 30 stores are being sold back to Albertsons, which has been preparing for an initial public offering. The sales are subject to certain conditions, Haggen said. Haggen sued Albertsons in September for damages that it said could exceed $1 billion, alleging its rival had failed to adhere to the terms of a $300 million purchase agreement for the stores. Albertsons has denied the charges.

More small retailers will be open for business on Thanksgiving Day — and they may not have a choice in the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported today. While most department stores set their own hours, the small shops that line mall hallways tend to follow their landlords’ lead, industry executives say. Mall owners in turn take their cues from “anchor” chains like J.C. Penney Co. and Macy’s Inc., which have made it clear that opening Thursday evening is the new tradition. J.C. Penney plans to open most of its stores starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, while Macy’s will open at 6 p.m. Mall owners consider it “imperative for retailers and restaurants to be open” on Thanksgiving, said Anjee Solanki, national director of retail services for Colliers International Group Inc., a real-estate-services firm. “This is when they can capture as much foot [traffic] as possible and drive future business with specials for the following month. Every tenant must adhere to the hours for uniformity.” Stores that break mall hours can be subject to steep fines and other consequences, retail and real-estate executives say.

Quaker Steak & Lube, the Sharon-based restaurant chain, has filed for bankruptcy protection and said it expects to be acquired by TravelCenters of America for $25 million, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today. The deal calls for Quaker Steak, with 50-plus locations in the U.S., to retain its brand and possibly expand under the new owner. TravelCenters of America has more than 500 quick- and full-service restaurants in 43 states. TravelCenters has already made a deposit on the acquisition, the companies said, and agreed to offer jobs to “substantially all” of Quaker Steak’s current employees.