Longtime Broward retailer to close its stores

In a blow to Broward County’s retail market, Carls Furniture is going out of business after 73 years.

The Coconut Creek-based retailer is closing its stores in Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach and holding a clearance sale to unload its inventory, the Sun-Sentinel reported. Carls filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2011 after struggling when the recession took hold. It was able to restructure through bankruptcy court but never returned to profitability.

“We are sorry we had to close,” owner Jeff Baker said. “It’s not something we wanted to happen.”

At one point, Carls had 27 stores in Florida and California and nearly 600 employees. Only 50 people remain at the final three stores, which are slated to close once all inventory is sold. [Sun-Sentinel] — Eric Kalis