HomeLife Furniture Is Shutting Down

HomeLife Furniture Corp., the eighth-largest U.S. furniture retailer, said it’s shutting down. A brief statement on the privately held company’s Web site said: “We regret that financial circumstances have resulted in the closure of our stores. We truly appreciate the patronage you have given HomeLife Furniture in the past.”

The site also advised customers on how to obtain refunds for undelivered merchandise.

Callers to HomeLife’s corporate offices in Hoffman Estates, Ill., were greeted by a recording of the same statement, and a company spokeswoman declined to comment further.

HomeLife has 130 stores in 26 states. Citicorp Venture Capital of New York acquired the chain from Sears, Roebuck & Co. for $100 million in November 1998. Sears retains a minority stake.

Sears spokeswoman Peggy Palter said she was unaware of any official decision by HomeLife. But she said the company asked Sears on Wednesday morning to cordon off the 14 HomeLife stores still located inside Sears department stores.