Judge OKs KB Toys’ going out of business sales

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A Delaware bankruptcy judge has authorized KB Toys to begin going-out-of-business sales today with a target end date of Feb. 9, the Associated Press reports.

“I can see no better, other alternative,” Judge Kevin Carey said. “We’re at a time of year where unless the going-out-of-business sales go forward now, there’s hardly any sense in doing it.”

Shoppers at the Glendale Galleria store needed only to look at increasingly empty shelves and the ‘All sales final’ signs to know KB Toys is closing soon. Other signs said, ‘All manufacturers warranties are in full effect,’ and, ‘Everything at least 40-50% off.’

‘After the toys are gone, we’re gone,’ said cashier Jorge Bonilla, who guessed that would happen soon.

KB Toys Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 last week and said it planned to hold liquidation sales in the coming weeks.

Anthony Lewis, an assistant seasonal manager at the Glendale store, said he didn’t expect the toys to start ‘flying off the shelves.’ Rows of shelves were missing from one corner. Three others were empty. All the remaining shelves were half full.

‘From what I hear, all KB stores in California will be done with by the end of the month,’ Lewis said.

-- Julie Makinen and Mark Medina