Clothing Chain Love Culture Files for Bankruptcy May Be Sold
Love Culture Inc. yesterday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, becoming the latest women's apparel retailer to seek protection from creditors, and said it may be sold after having received interest from possible buyers, Reuters reported yesterday. The company, which according to its website has 82 stores stretching from Massachusetts to Hawaii, joins Ashley Stewart Holdings Inc., Coldwater Creek Inc., Dots LLC and Loehmann's Inc. among retailers to file for bankruptcy since late last year as consumers curb spending and visit malls less. In a court filing, the company's chief restructuring officer, Rick Bunka, said sales remain below projections, while vendors in April began curbing credit and demanding payment for goods faster or upon delivery, leading to "significant liquidity challenges." Love Culture said it plans during the bankruptcy process to close money-losing stores, restructure its debt and investigate options "including a possible sale of substantially all of its assets as a going concern."