A 20-year run will end next month when Los Angeles-based Italian ceramics cataloger/retailer Cottura closes its doors. The company had filed for bankruptcy in June.
“Stroll through one of our shopping centers and you can see the state of retail,” reads a note on the Cottura Website from co-owners Jim Zimmerman, Michael Ruvo, and Christopher Smith. “As Cottura grew so did the challenges of operating a retail company. World events caused major economic changes, driving up our costs with no end in sight…Prices for merchandise are now inflated as our poor economy has contributed to a 25% decline in the value of the dollar against the Euro.”
According to the company’s federal bankruptcy report, Cottura’s assets amount to $1,670,275.00, and its liabilities come to $2,527,122.29.
Cottura had closed its two of its stores last month. A third will shut at the end of September, and the Cottura outlet will stay open until October. Any remaining merchandise will be sold at the company’s final warehouse sale in October. The catalog and Website will cease operations by the end of October.
The three co-owners appear to be philosophical about the closing of their business, saying of themselves on the Website, “After 20 years of retail, they are looking forward to a peaceful holiday experience at home with family.”