The RoomPlace

The RoomPlace

Company type	Private
Industry	Furniture retail
Founded	1912
Founder	Sam Berman
Defunct	2025
Fate	Bankruptcy and closure
Headquarters	Lombard, Illinois , United States
Area served	Midwest United States
Key people	Bruce Berman (owner, principal executive)
Products	Furniture
Number of employees	83 (2024)

The RoomPlace was a furniture retail company based in Lombard, Illinois, operating 26 stores throughout the Midwest until its closure in 2024.

History

Established in 1912 by Sam Berman as a modest furniture shop located in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, the enterprise expanded by opening a Harlem Avenue store in 1950 under the name Harlem Furniture. Between 1985 and 1990, the company continued its growth by launching additional outlets in Chicago and nearby suburbs such as Hoffman Estates, Homewood, and Vernon Hills. This expansion was supported by the creation of a distribution facility in Hillside in 1988.

During the early 2000s, the business transitioned from Harlem Furniture to The RoomPlace to reflect a strategic effort toward brand modernization and market growth. This era saw new store launches including one in Orland Park, alongside an increase in distribution center space from 200,000 to more than 300,000 square feet.

In 2011, Bruce Berman, a principal executive and owner, purchased The RoomPlace at auction for $15.1 million. At that point, the company operated around 23 stores, marking a pivotal investment focused on enhancing operational efficiency and expanding the business.

2016 warehouse fire and Indianapolis expansion

On April 21, 2016, a devastating fire heavily damaged The RoomPlace’s distribution center in Woodridge, resulting in estimated losses ranging from $40 million to $60 million. The cause was linked to forklift operator Ruben Ochoa Cruz following a disagreement related to vacation time. Cruz was subsequently charged with federal arson and convicted in 2018, receiving a six-year prison term. Overall damages from this event were later assessed at $122 million.

In May of that year, The RoomPlace revealed plans to enter the Indianapolis market by establishing a new distribution center and opening six retail locations before year-end.

Bankruptcy

The RoomPlace filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 2, 2024, aiming to adjust expenses in line with anticipated sales and prevailing economic conditions. As part of the restructuring process, closures were planned for one store each in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Peoria, Illinois, as well as all six stores within the Indianapolis area. The company enlisted Planned Furniture Promotions to oversee liquidation sales affecting a workforce of 83 employees.

By July 2024, bankruptcy court approval was granted for an auction of The RoomPlace’s assets. Although two potential buyers submitted bids, no transaction was completed. As a result, in September 2024 The RoomPlace confirmed it would shut down all remaining stores.

Closure dates of each location after bankruptcy

• July 29, 2024: Peoria & Indianapolis (Michigan Rd.)
• August 5, 2024: Plainfield & Carmel
• August 12, 2024: Kenosha; Indianapolis (Castleton & Washington St.); Greenwood
• October 29, 2024: McHenry
• December 4, 2024: Joliet
• December 9-10, 2024: Schaumburg & Gurnee
• January 1-7, 2025: Merrillville; Rockford; Arlington Heights
• January 27 - February 24, 2025: Homewood & Chicago (Cicero Ave.)
• March 3-31, 2025: Orland Park; Chicago (Elston Ave. & Harlem Ave.); Algonquin; Bloomingdale; Woodridge; Aurora; Lincolnwood; Lombard