WESTBURY, N.Y.–Fortunoff said NRDC Equity Partners, the private-equity firm that bought the retailer a year ago, is in talks with interested parties to buy the business.
Fortunoff’s comments come amid published reports that the chain might be liquidated.
The news also follows the Jan. 16 closure of the retailer’s Manhattan store.
“There are ongoing negotiations with potential buyers, which is the good news,” a Fortunoff spokeswoman said.
The retailer operates five stores (Westbury, N.Y.; White Plains, N.Y.; Paramus Park, N.J.; Wayne, N.J.; and Woodbridge, N.J.) and 14 outdoor furniture stores. “We have no intention to close any of them,” the spokeswoman said.
NRDC, which also owns Lord & Taylor, bought Fortunoff last year for $80 million, with an additional $30 million to resolve debt and other obligations.
NRDC planned to roll out Fortunoff-branded home and jewelry departments in all 47 Lord & Taylor stores and spend $100 million to renovate the specialty chain.