Some of Builders Emporium Stores Might Be Closed : Retailing: Home-improvement chain still seeking buyer for its 97 outlets; 82 of them are in California and employ about 3,800 people.

Builders Emporium, one of the Southland’s largest home-improvement stores, said late Friday that some of its 97 retail outlets might close if a buyer for the financially ailing chain is not found soon.

“We are continuing to look at a wide variety of options, including selling the company or a restructuring that would include the closing of a number of stores,” said Michael Hecht, president and chief executive of the Irvine-based firm.

Hecht would not estimate how many of its stores might close. The chain’s 82 outlets in California employ about 3,800 workers, while its 15 stores in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas employ an additional 500.

The company’s parent, North Carolina-based Collins & Aikman Corp., in late March announced plans to sell the chain or restructure its operations. Although several companies have expressed interest in buying the company, Hecht said no firm offers have been made.

Employees’ concerns about the future of the chain were heightened eight days ago when Hecht made a televised speech to all of the company’s stores, mentioning possible layoffs.

In an interview, Hecht said about 20 staff members were laid off at its corporate headquarters in mid-August but added that the jobs were eliminated after a new computer system was installed.

Builders Emporium’s profits have been buffeted by California’s prolonged recession and slumping housing market. It has also faced stiff competition from fast-growing chains such as Home Depot and Home Base--high-volume “warehouse” stores that are much larger--and discount operators such as Wal-Mart and Target stores.

Hecht took the helm of Builders Emporium in November, shortly after resigning from his post as president of retailing giant Carter Hawley Hale Stores. At the time, Carter Hawley had just emerged from bankruptcy protection.