Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Steinmart Files Bankruptcy

Steinmart issued the following statement.

Stein Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMRT) today announced that it and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida – Jacksonville Division (the “Bankruptcy Court”). The Company has filed customary motions with the Bankruptcy Court that will authorize, upon Bankruptcy Court approval, the Company’s ability to maintain operations in the ordinary course of business, including, among other things, the payment of employee wages and benefits without interruption, payment of suppliers and vendors in the normal course of business, and the use of cash collateral. These motions are typical in the Chapter 11 process and the Company anticipates that they will be approved shortly after the commencement of its Chapter 11 case.

Details on the Company’s Chapter 11 process and go-forward strategy are as follows:
  • The Company expects to close a significant portion, if not all, of its brick-and-mortar stores and, in connection therewith, the Company has launched a store closing and liquidation process. The Company, however, will continue to operate its business in the ordinary course in the near term; and
     
  • The Company is evaluating any and all strategic alternatives, including the potential sale of its eCommerce business and related intellectual property.
Hunt Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Stein Mart, Inc., said, “The combined effects of a challenging retail environment coupled with the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have caused significant financial distress on our business. The Company has determined that the best strategy to maximize value will be a liquidation of its assets pursuant to an organized going out of business sale. The Company lacks sufficient liquidity to continue operating in the ordinary course of business. I would like to thank all of our employees for their dedication and support.”
Additional details:
  • The Company’s restructuring counsel is Foley & Lardner LLP, its restructuring advisor is Clear Thinking Group LLC and its investment banker is PJ SOLOMON.
     
  • Court filings and other documents related to the process are available at https://cases.stretto.com/SteinMart.
About Stein Mart
Stein Mart, Inc. is a national specialty omni off-price retailer offering designer and name-brand fashion apparel, home décor, accessories and shoes at everyday discount prices. Stein Mart provides real value that customers love every day. The company operates 281 stores across 30 states. For more information, please visit www.SteinMart.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The matters discussed herein include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to the future operating performance of the Company and its asset utilization. Investors are cautioned that any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors.
The Bankruptcy will likely result in holders of our liabilities and/or securities receiving no value for their interests. Because of such possibilities, the value of these liabilities and/or securities is highly speculative and will pose substantial risks. Trading prices for the Company’s common stock may bear little or no relationship to the actual recovery, if any, by holders thereof in the Bankruptcy Case. Accordingly, the Company urges extreme caution with respect to existing and future investments in its common stock. Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which represent our view only as of the date hereof, and which we assume no obligation to update.

For more information: Linda L. Tasseff Director of External Communications and Investor Relations ltasseff@steinmart.com (904) 858-2639

Kingfish note: Sad to see. 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

A Mississippi Institution, founded in Greenville, by the nicest man, Jake Stein. Glad he will not know this.

Anonymous said...

Bankruptcy - the act of not paying your creditors to save yourself while they go out of business.

Anonymous said...

"A Mississippi Institution, founded in Greenville, by the nicest man, Jake Stein. Glad he will not know this."

Couldn't agree more !

However, during the last twenty years . . . that chain was not what it once was.
But that was not Mr. Jake's fault.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear of this going on. Shopped in their stores in the past.

Anonymous said...

bankruptcy is a racket and complete buffoonery. It will make you give up on capitalism forever (which its designed to do)

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Time to upgrade the wardrobe at a discount!

Anonymous said...

...what a pleasant surprise...

[pun intended]

Anonymous said...

Hate this for them, but mostly for their employees, who had a job that is no more. Also another large group of empty storefronts across the region. This collapse of retail is very troubling.

Anonymous said...

SteinMart was completely wiped out by COVID. Went to the Jackson location a few weeks ago after they had been closed by the city for weeks. Store was filled with Easter and Spring Merchandise that they never had a chance to sell. There were already 70% markdowns. Tons of stuff on sale on the sidewalks. Was really sad. So I am not surprised by a bankruptcy, and this one will be a complete liquidation, not a bankruptcy where you try to restructure debts.

Anonymous said...

Steinmart's fate is just like many other brick and mortar retailers' business model of selling cheap made shit from China/Asia for high prices. The death spiral started after we quit making the stuff in the U.S. while giving China most favored nation trade status. Amazon plus Covid just sped up the demise.

Anonymous said...

Jackson is lost!!! Next!

Anonymous said...

"...what a pleasant surprise...[pun intended]"

You must not know what a pun is.

Anonymous said...

I’m ILL! Pier One, Tuesday Morning and NOW Stein Mart!
Is there a complete list somewhere of stores and restaurants
that are closing?

Anonymous said...

I bought my first Ralph Lauren Polo Dress Shirt from SteinMart in Greenville. Always enjoyed going through the piles of merchandise. Just like other stores that we grew up enjoying, it is sad to see it go. Online shopping and the pandemic have taken their toll on many businesses.

Anonymous said...

I'm not ashamed to say I shopped there. I don't shop much, but what clothes I do buy come from Sam's, Stein Mart, TJ Maxx, etc. I will miss them.

Anonymous said...

I'm still mourning the loss of Woolworths, Woolco, McRae's, Gayfers, Radio Shack and many others from my youth.

Anonymous said...

For over a decade you could see that this day was coming. Covid or no Covid.
When people started shopping online to avoid paying state taxes or to save a couple of dollars it was evident that brick and mortar stores were at a disadvantage.

Any retailer can tell you stories of customers who would come into their air conditioned space, waste the time of the store employee and try on or touch and feel a product. Then they would go online, using the stores free WIFI, to buy the product elsewhere.

We brought this on ourselves and while you may not care if Steinmart, JC Penny or Sears is around, you will care when your kids and grandkids have no summer employment opportunities.

Anonymous said...

"...what a pleasant surprise...[pun intended]"

"You must not know what a pun is."

And you, my friend, must have never seen a Steinmart commercial...BYE!

Anonymous said...

Let's not feel to badly for the family. The pre-planning has been in effect for a couple of years. Let the employees eat cake. Thirty One Million came out of the change-jug in the conference room.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/stein-mart-jay-stein-drops-161006184.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.