bebe stores along with half-owner Bluestar Alliance, has acquired the Brookstone brand and related assets on Oct. 19, with plans to sell Brookstone products through retail partnerships here and abroad. Brookstone announced it was shuttering 101 stores when it filed Chapter 11 in August.
Apex Digital Inc., a consumer electronics seller and a partner in the deal, will operate Brookstone’s 35 airport stores.
bebe stores and Bluestar have worked together since 2016 when Bluestar acquired an interest in the bebe brand, trademarks and intellectual property.
“Brookstone is a unique brand with strong growth potential,” said Manny Mashouf, CEO of bebe stores in a statement. “We are pleased to expand our already successful relationship with Bluestar and can see potential synergies with other brands in their portfolio. This investment, a direct result of our partnership with B. Riley Financial, which sourced the deal, will create a strong platform for future growth and enhance our ability to generate free cash flow to maximize our dividends to shareholders.”
bebe closed its retail stores in 2017. Instead of filing for bankruptcy the company transferred its intellectual property rights, including licensing revenue and website, to BB Brand Holdings LLC, according to Chain Store Age. BB Brand Holdings is 50% owned by Bluestar Alliance.