Massive furniture, appliance retailer to shut down all stores, including 3 in KC area
All of American Freight’s stores, including the three locations in the Kansas City area, will close.
The company’s owner, Franchise Group, Inc., announced this week that it would “wind down” American Freight’s online and in-store sales in an attempt to save its leading brands — Pet Supplies Plus, The Vitamin Shoppe and Buddy’s Home Furnishings.
The furniture and appliance store’s closures are part of Franchise Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring plan, filed Sunday.
Its locations in the Kansas City area are 3632 E. Front St. in the Northland, 2210 Route 291 Suite B in Independence and 6495 Quivira Road in Shawnee.
Employees with each of the three locations said they had not been given a closing date.
Franchise Group could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday.
In its media release about the bankruptcy, Franchise Group blames “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges facing the large durable goods sector” for American Freight’s decline.
Liquidation management company Hilco Consumer-Retail announced Wednesday that the company would offer up to 30% off furniture and appliances at its 328 locations.
American Freight was founded in 1994 in Ohio. Franchise Group acquired the brand in 2020 and merged it with Sears Outlet Group, a separate entity from Sears that offered discounted products.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 3:12 PM.