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Home Interiors and Gifts, the Dallas Based home good company that has had its fair share of financial troubles lately, has just been purchased by Home and Garden Party.

We had first reported about Home and Garden’s problems back in September when the company sent out a warning to employees.

Home and Garden Party, founded in 1996 in Marshall, Texas, has become a leader in the direct sales industry over the last decade. The company, founded by Penny and Steven Carlile purchased the assets of the U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican assets of Home Interiors and Gifts last Thursday.

Carlile was pleased with the acquisition and the potential for success the joining of the two companies will have in the future. “Home Interiors has a storied history in the direct sales business for the past 51 years and has been a leader in this business for much of that time,” said Steve Carlile. “We’re very pleased to join forces with them going forward.”

Home Interiors was forced to file Chapter 11 to reorganize the company’s business and restructure its debt. Robin Crossman, the high profile CEO who was brought in last year to save the company released a statement regarding the announcement saying, “I am so proud of the Home Interiors field and the dedication they have to the heritage of Mary Crowley” (the company’s founder).

Penny and Steve Carlile issued a joint statement regarding the future of the two companies, “With all the necessary funds in reserve to complete the transaction, we can quickly and effectively assure the consultants of Home Interior that we’re committed to protecting the legacy of Mary Crowley and Home Interiors by building on the solid foundation that Home and Garden Party has enjoyed.”

The company will remain headquartered in Marshall. All parties involved hope that the acquisition will result in more jobs in the community in the coming months.

No word on what happens to the company’s status as part of the Direct Selling Association now that the company has been taken over.

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Belegured home goods company, Home Interiors and Gifts, which in the past few months has had some major problems including bankruptcy and the announcement that they will seek a buyer for the company, has now notified employees at its Carrollton facility that the attempts to sell its operating entities is likely to have an impact on their jobs in the next few months.

I’m sure this comes as no surprise to the employees who have known for months now that the company is in some trouble. The company filed for bankruptcy some months ago, but was making an effort to turn things around. Unfortunately, those attempts were futile and last week the company asked for, and received permission from the U.S Bankruptcy court of Northern District of Texas for approval to sell its operating entities.

In a letter filed this past week with the Texas Workforce Commission Home Interiors says employees have been informed on the impact the sale could have on future employment. The company did say however, that the sale of the assets could also potentially lead to opportunities to staff members. “The company continues to conduct operations,” Home Interiors & Gifts said in the letter. “It’s possible potential buyer(s) of the company’s assets will hire employees who received Warn Act notices, although the company cannot make any guarantee.”

Currently there are over 130 employees at the Carrollton facilities. While I commend the company for finally warning employees of the possible termination of their positions, although a bit late in the game, it would also be great if they released a statement to their distributors. The distributors have given their time, and money, and committed themselves to working for the company. The distributors are the ones that have kept the company going. It would be great if they could be honest with those distributors about what a sale of assets could do to their employment as well. And of course, needless to say, still no word from the protective folks over at the DSA.   It’s great to know how on top of these things the Direct Selling Association is - makes ya really confident in their ability to provide timely information to the people that subsidize their business and salaries.

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