Pier 1 reps say want to shut down business and close all its stores including stores in Davenport and Coralville permanently, after failing to find a buyer to keep the business going; a process it said had been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Business Insider, Pier 1 Imports is seeking court approval to shut down its business completely.

The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February. In January, it said it would close about half of its stores (or about 450 locations)  for good. The Davenport store was NOT on the list to close as of January; but calls to the Elmore Ave. location are routed to a pre-recorded voice message indicating the store is closed until further notice.

"The challenging retail environment has been significantly compounded by the profound impact of COVID-19, hindering our ability to secure such a buyer and requiring us to wind down," Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1's CEO and CFO said in the release. 

Pier 1 reps say they would continue to seek a buyer for its e-commerce business, inventory, and intellectual property in the meantime.

The retailer will begin liquidation sales once its stores are able to reopen to conduct them. In a notice on its website, Pier 1 said it expects to continue operating stores until early fall 2020, and that store closure dates would vary by location.

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