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Howard’s Appliances, a 79-year-old appliance retailer, has shuttered all of its remaining locations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
The long-time retailer listed up to $17 million in liabilities, and reportedly blames tariffs and consumer spending to blame for its collapse.
“Despite our best efforts to overcome tariffs, declines in consumer spending, and other macroeconomic challenges — we have made the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy and close our doors,” the chain’s lawyers said in a statement obtained by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
“This was not a decision made lightly, but one that became necessary given the current economic landscape.”
In Chapter 11 bankruptcy, companies typically operate under the supervision of a court-appointed trustee while working to become financially stable again.
However, several media outlets report the chain abruptly closed all of its remaining locations which operated primarily in Southern California.
Fox News reports employees were given only a two days’ notice stating the chain would cease operations on Dec. 6 due to “circumstances beyond our control.”
The news comes just weeks after Black Friday — a move that seemingly surprised employees and customers alike.
Yahoo News reports that some customers who paid for undelivered products may receive partial refunds, while others may still be able to pick up in-stock purchases, though the process remains unclear as of Dec. 12.
Howard’s Appliances filing follows a slew of high-profile bankruptcies to hit retailers in 2025.
Last month, 77-year-old furniture company American Signature filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing a sharp slump in furniture demand and rising operating costs.
Two months earlier, home-decor chain At Home emerged from bankruptcy after restructuring to address inflation, interest rates and tariffs.
Bankruptcies surged in 2025 across many sectors, and home-improvement, appliances and decor were certainly no exception.
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