Dive Brief:

• Brookstone Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company saw declining sales for a few years, except in e-commerce.

• Having its financial house in order through the bankruptcy procedures makes way for Spencer Spirit Holdings’ proposed $147 million purchase of the company.

• Spencer Spirit Holdings, which owns mall-based Spencer’s and costume store Spirit, which are both mainly mall-based stores, said it would keep open Brookstone’s 240 mall and airport stores and its website, catalog, and wholesale infrastructure intact.

Dive Insight:

It’s not often that a company maintains its status quo after it's sold to new parent. Yet, despite Brookstone’s bankruptcy, that’s what Spencer Spirit Holdings says it has planned for its new acquisition — that is, no plan at all. It remains to be seen how long that holds true. Meanwhile, there’s no escaping that catalog, but at least you can still try out the massage chair at the mall.