WELLS RUNS DRY
Barneys main lender nixes emergency lifeline
Barneys’ latest effort to find a financial fix to stay afloat fell flat, The Post has learned.
The luxury retailer, which has been on a hunt for a buyer or investor to provide a cash infusion, was rejected by its primary lender last week when it requested an emergency loan, sources told The Post.
Barneys, headed by Daniella Vitale, had been seeking what’s known as debtor-inpossession financing, a special form of financing provided for companies in financial distress — usually so they can pay their operating expenses while restructuring their business through bankruptcy.
But the bank, Wells Fargo — which has already extended $200 million to Barneys through a term loan plus $50 million through a revolving line of credit — decided the financial risk wasn’t worth it, sources said.
Without this financing the storied retailer — which has been struggling since rent at its Madison Avenue flagship tripled in January — could be forced into liquidation, sources told The Post.
“There is all this last-minute desperation going on,” said a source with knowledge of Barneys’ financial situation.
Industry watchers have predicted that Barneys would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, which would have allowed it to continue operating while restructuring its debt. Without the proper financing, it risks Chapter 7 liquidation instead, industry insiders said.
A Barneys spokeswoman declined comment on Wells Fargo or the company’s other financial discussions. In addition to Wells Fargo, Barneys has been talking to Great American Capital Partners and private equity firm TPG for DIP lending, according to Bloomberg.
“The Barneys New York Board and management continue to work constructively and collaboratively with a number of parties and are committed to reaching a mutually agreeable resolution to strengthen our business,” the spokeswoman said.
A Chapter 11 would “require a DIP lender and I’m pretty certain that this is what’s taking so long to secure at this time,” said Hilldun Corp. Chief Executive Gary Wassner, who has provided financing for Barneys’ vendors. “A surprise happy ending could still potentially be pulled from a hat,” he added.
By the looks of the Barneys flagship store on Madison Avenue, time could be running out. The Post found in a recent visit to the store that many shelves and racks are unusually sparse — even for minimalist Barneys, which allots generous spacing for its merchandise.
There were only six Rolex watches in a glass-enclosed display with four shelves, while four small Balenciaga handbags were positioned in the middle of three or four foot-long shelves — and a long jewelry counter that was once filled with watches had just eight.
Some vendors that have a consignment arrangement with Barneys, particularly high-end jewelry and accessories brands, have asked for their product back, fearing that it will get caught up in a bankruptcy, sources said.
“The sparseness of the store could be due to brands asking for their product back and the fact that vendors have not shipped new merchandise in several weeks,” said Wassner.