You may have seen signs screaming “Going Out of Business” at Great American Home Store locations, or perhaps you heard a rumor about a closure. As a business owner or consumer, it’s normal to ask: Is Great American Home Store really shutting down—or is something else going on? Here’s what to know.
The truth is, Great American Home Store is not going out of business in the typical way you might expect. There hasn’t been a bankruptcy, a court-ordered liquidation, or mass closures that send workers home for good. Instead, what’s really happening is an acquisition and a rebranding—meaning a larger company, Rooms To Go, has bought Great American Home Store and is in the process of converting those stores under its own brand.
Let’s walk through the details, step by step, so you can make informed choices (and see clearly through what can be confusing retail headlines).
Acquisition Details: Who Bought Whom, and When?
On August 1, 2023, Rooms To Go, a well-known furniture retailer based in Seffner, Florida, acquired The Great American Home Store. The announcement covered all four of Great American’s Memphis-area furniture showrooms: Memphis, Cordova, Southaven, and the headquarters location on Appling Farms Parkway.
At the time of sale, the message was simple: All Great American stores would keep operating under their existing brand—at least for a few months—while Rooms To Go began planning the transition. For regular customers or employees, this helped limit disruption.
If you’re mapping business risks or researching retail trends, you’ll notice this isn’t an unusual approach. It allows the new owner to learn about local market dynamics before fully converting locations.
A Closer Look at the Transition: From One Name to Another
Here’s how the process has been rolling out:
For four to six months after the acquisition, the stores kept the Great American branding.
Rooms To Go leadership communicated early that all Great American staff would be kept on as part of the new structure. This means jobs, relationships, and most customer-facing operations would continue.
Think of it as a gradual handover, not an overnight switch. For business observers, this signals a goal of stability and customer retention above fast change.
During this interim time, you may have noticed marketing materials—or even in-store signage—announcing major sales or changes. Those announcements were part of a carefully-timed, staged shift to Rooms To Go.
Evidence You Can Check: Marketing, Listings, and Online Visibility
There’s no shortage of “going out of business” sale language in the furniture world, so it’s worth separating marketing from actual shutdowns. Here are some recent, verifiable clues you can double-check:
Rooms To Go posted the “Great American Home Store Going Out of Business Sale” prominently on its website. However, fine print clarifies: “Great American Home Store is now Rooms To Go.”
Yelp user updates for the Appling Farms Parkway address note, “THE GREAT AMERICAN HOME STORE – CLOSED. They are now Rooms to Go.”
In the real estate market, Great American’s former properties now typically show up as active Rooms To Go stores.
If you’re planning a store visit or sending staff on a scouting trip, call first. This transition phase often means old signage comes down after revised hours, inventories, and staff reassignments all play out behind the scenes.
Is This a True “Going Out of Business” Sale? Understanding the Distinction
Here’s where the details matter for your risk management.
A true going out of business or liquidation sale usually signals a troubled company winding up for good. These events often follow bankruptcy filings—either Chapter 11 (restructuring under court supervision) or Chapter 7 (full liquidation).
In the case of Great American Home Store:
There’s no evidence of any Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings for this company.
The “going out of business” sale you see is focused on selling off inventory with the Great American branding.
This inventory clearance is essentially a rebranding sale—and not an indication of a failing enterprise.
If you compare to news about other similarly named businesses (like the “Great American Group,” a known liquidation and advisory firm), you’ll find those events involve entirely different companies and scenarios.
So, if you’re considering buying during these sales, realize you’re not buying “fire sale” stock from a closing company—you’re just witnessing the end of a brand as its stores convert.
What This Transition Means for Staff and Customers
As an entrepreneur or frequent furniture buyer, you may worry about what happens to your local store—and the people who make it run.
Here are the key operational impacts:
Store Employees: Rooms To Go publicly committed to retaining all Great American Home Store employees. For staff, this means a stable job and familiar faces, just likely with new uniforms and updated training.
Stores and Locations: All four original Memphis-area locations continue to operate, but under the Rooms To Go brand. You can expect new branding, possibly some renovated layouts, but fundamentally the same physical premises.
Product and Services: Most showrooms continue to stock products, with inventory switching over from Great American’s lines to Rooms To Go’s own collections. If you were happy with the old service model, you’ll likely find things familiar.
Warranties, Orders, and Returns: In general, Rooms To Go has a track record of honoring open orders and service commitments from prior brands. Still, you may want to check specific return policies or warranty agreements if you’ve made a purchase during the transition.
If you’re an existing customer: Double-check any email or mail you receive about open orders. If you’re a business looking to supply or partner, reach out directly to Rooms To Go for up-to-date procurement contacts.
Spotting the Differences: This Isn’t Bankruptcy or Liquidation
You may notice “Great American Home Store going out of business” headlines, especially on social media or discount ad networks. But keep in mind:
This transition is happening through acquisition and corporate rebranding—not because of financial crisis.
All local stores remain open, but under the changing name.
Flyers, banners, and clearance ads are part of planned brand replacement, not a sudden or desperate cash-out.
Many small business owners use these moments to learn practical lessons about asset sales, customer retention, and transition planning—so take time to watch carefully.
Why the Distinction Matters: Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Consumers
If you’re running your own business—or advising others on business health—reading between the lines of retail news is a useful skill. Here’s how to approach it:
- Always check the source of “going out of business” headlines. Is it a bankruptcy in court filings, or a planned acquisition with a positive buyer statement?
2. Understand the difference between liquidation and rebranding. Liquidations usually mean products and systems vanish for good. Rebranding after acquisition often leads to improved resources, updated technology, but a preserved team.
3. Reach out with questions. When stores change hands, staff will usually have talking points and contact info for transition teams, especially in retail and franchising environments.
For more detailed guidance on how to track business transitions or to read financial statements for clues, you may want to consult resources like BizSavvies.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect as a Customer or Local Business Partner
So what comes next, now that Great American Home Store signs are replaced by Rooms To Go ones?
If you’re a shopper: Expect similar store hours, possibly expanded delivery or finance options, and clearance deals as old inventory cycles out. Set aside time to compare new product lines, as some previous models may be discontinued.
For local entrepreneurs: You may want to update your records, check for fresh procurement contacts, and look for new local partnership opportunities. Set aside time to compare fees, terms, and procurement standards with the Rooms To Go group.
For employees: You’re likely under new HR policies with improved benefits or training—so be proactive about understanding updated procedures.
Common questions include: “Will my old Great American Home Store warranties still be honored?” In general, yes, but it depends on the purchase date and specific product line.
Likewise, if you had a custom or special order: Ask the new store manager, as they have access to transition documentation and customer records.
Conclusion: What’s the Bottom Line for the Great American Home Store?
Ultimately, Great American Home Store is not going out of business due to bankruptcy or operational failure. The company, its staff, and its locations have been acquired by Rooms To Go—a larger, stable retailer in the furniture industry.
This process is a classic example of business succession through acquisition and rebranding. You can still shop (or work) at these locations, but under a new banner. The “great American” branding is going away, but the people and service largely remain.
If you see “going out of business” signs, read them as a notice of brand transition—not disappearance. As a savvy consumer or small business owner, use these transitions to review your purchase records, check in on warranties, and understand changed service models.
When in doubt, reach out to the new Rooms To Go contacts, and don’t hesitate to set aside time for due diligence on warranties, delivery windows, or return policies. In general, careful attention and direct communication will keep you ahead regarding these kinds of business changes.
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