Major scrapbook retail chain Archiver’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Minnesota.

The Archiver’s board authorized the bankruptcy filing on April 25th via a written directive. In court filings, the retailer indicates that it intends to continue operating. The initial petition estimates the company has between $10-$50 million in assets, and $1-$10 million in liabilities, and indicates that the company believes there will be at least some funds available for distribution to unsecured creditors.

As a retailer, it’s not surprising that a large portion of the company’s top 20 unsecured creditors are product wholesalers. The largest unsecured creditor is EK Success, who is owed over $250,000. Also appearing on the top 20 creditors list are American Crafts, 3L, We R Memory Keepers, My Mind’s Eye, Bazzill, Love To Scrap, Doodlebug, BoBunny, Ranger, Silhouette, Pioneer, Pink Paislee, Ellison, and Queen & Company, who are owed between $55,000 and $200,000 each. The Archiver’s bankruptcy is a double hit for 3L, who was already listed as one of the top creditors in the Creative Memories bankruptcy a few weeks ago.

A meeting of creditors is scheduled for May 30th at the US Courthouse in Minneapolis. Proof of claims from creditors are due to the court by August 28th, an important deadline since the petition estimates that there will be funds to disperse to the creditors who submit claims. [Read more...]