Ohio-based furniture store to close all locations amid bankruptcy filing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio-based furniture retailer with over 300 locations across the country is set to close all of its stores after the brand's parent company filed for bankruptcy.
American Freight announced on Nov. 6 that its 328 locations across 41 states will permanently shut down. Although the company did not specify when stores would close, a Nov. 14 post on its Facebook page said the chain would remain open for “the next couple weeks.”
The closure announcement came after the retailer’s parent company, Franchise Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 3. Franchise Group cited “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges” as reasons for the filing.
A news release issued by Franchise Group said that closing American Freight is part of a strategy to set up other brands in its portfolio — specifically Pet Supplies Plus, Vitamin Shoppe and Buddy’s Home Furnishings — for long-term success.
Locations across the country are having store-closing sales, which are managed by the financial services company Hilco, and offer up to 30% off. The brand has 26 locations across the state, including four in central Ohio -- all of which will be permanently closing.
Central Ohio locations include:
- 5055 E. Main St., Columbus
- 900 Morse Road, Columbus
- 2885 Gender Road, Reynoldsburg
- 1141 S. Columbus Pike, Delaware
Other Ohio locations include:
- 3650 Fort Shawnee Industrial Drive, Lima
- 2770 Lexington Ave., Lexington
- 4345 Lincoln Way E., Massillon
- 4782 Muhlhauser Road, West Chester
- 2655 Arlington Road, Akron
- 10333 Northfield Road, Northfield
- 6767 Brookpark Road, Parma
- 2800 Springboro Pike, Dayton
- 6224 South Ave., Boardman
- 34700 Vine St., Ste. 200, Eastlake
- 5375 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati
- 110 Consumer Center Drive, Chillicothe
- 445 Midway Blvd., Elyria
- 987 E. Ash St., Ste. 125, Piqua
- 180 Great Oaks Trail, Ste. B, Wadsworth
- 5185 Youngstown Warren Road, Unit 5, Niles
- 6645 Airport Hwy., Holland
- 7490 Broadview Road, Parma
- 2000 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering
- 2662 Brookpark Ext., North Olmsted
- 10200 Colerain Ave., Ste 11, Cincinnati
- 8284 Troy Pike, Huber Heights
American Freight was established in Lima in 1994 and offers “affordable, high-quality furniture, mattresses and appliances,” according to its website.
Franchise Group acquired Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores in 2020, merging it with the American Freight brand and converting it to that name. While Franchise Group acquired Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Sears is owned by a separate company and still has a handful of remaining locations in the country, none of which are in Ohio.