The Sudden End for Employees
The closure blindsided staff in December. The Boston Globe reported employees first received notice via a companywide email on Dec. 19, followed by a second email on Dec. 23 detailing layoffs.
“With a heavy heart, circumstance [sic] have gone against the business, and we can no longer afford to continue operations, therefore all employees are being let go including your position effective Dec. 23,” the message read.
From Cambridge Roots to Regional Presence
Circle Furniture traces its origins to the early 1950s in Cambridge, Mass., founded by the Tubman family. The company expanded over the decades, eventually reaching nine locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In the early 2020s, ownership transitioned to Bob Richard.
Creditors Await Payout
Among the creditors listed in the Chapter 7 filing are several furniture and home furnishing suppliers, as well as service providers. They are categorized as nonpriority unsecured creditors, meaning they stand behind secured claims and customer deposits in any distribution of remaining assets.
As Circle Furniture winds down its legacy, the story underscores the challenges even long-standing regional retailers face in an era of rising costs, online competition, and changing consumer habits.
