Join me in absolute and unfathomable shock that Swoozie’s is being resurrected. Like many of you, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact they (a) filed bankruptcy: (b) left an extraordinary list of vendors, reps, and landlords holding the bag (with a hole in the bottom instead of cash): and (c) are now reopening several locations as “The real Swoozies.”
“Real?” Pretty sure the first iteration was real enough for the folks whose companies went out of business or have been financial devastated by the first version.
How, exactly, does this work? And who, exactly, is willing to ship an order to them?
Would love to know how old those gushing fan quotes are, currently splattered all over the Swoozie’s home page. Sure doesn’t read like the stuff I’ve been seeing the past few months. Would be interesting to hear the opinions of employees who lost their jobs when Swoozie’s locked the doors with a scant few weeks’ notice the first time around.
Swoozies? Doozies, from where I sit.
Click here to tell me what you think....
They should be ashamed of themselves. The nerve of the ownership to try to establish “new” relationships with vendors whom have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to them. When I saw them at NSS, I thought “could it be the are resurrecting themselves” and sure enough they are. You would think they would put their tail between their legs and retire (with everyone’s money) on a desert island. I think their new name should be Floozies!!
Cinda-
You wanted to hear from employees of Swoozies… Through this entire bankruptcy process I have read your blog and comments about this situation. As unbelievable as it is, my peers and I got more info from your blog then we did from our corporate office.
This announcement of reopening came as a slap in the face to everyone who endured the 10 week liquidation process without a thank you or good luck from Mrs. Plank. Not to mention how every employee was left without receiving their accrued vacation and sick pay due to “financial hardship” of the company. Now they flaunt how the old Swoozie’s was not real? Well reality will come real quick when the vendors do not stock their shelves and forgotten employees tell whom ever will listen the nightmare of Swoozie’s.
Cinda,
You are so right! I am curious to know how they were able to retain the name in the bankruptcy proceedings. I also don’t understand how they are going back into their old sites when they owed so much rent! I wouldn’t think they could make any deals outside of bankruptcy with those locations. I met some of their Dallas employees who were wonderful and worked hard until the last day and I only hope they have been taken care of!
You know what really bothers me about all these rude respsonses….whomever is writing the really doesnt know what the ” real swoozies ” is about….this company, although has suffered an extreme loss & the vendors as well was is a great company that many people loved. Wow, we can’t be the only company who has seen the bad side of the downfall of the economy & who has lost all they worked for. Let me ask you a question Mrs. Baxter..have you actually met kelly Plank Dworkin? If you did you would know what a great women she is & how her determination over the last year has made the Swoozie’s comback what it is……how easy for you to cast stones when all you do is write about other people… and for those employees who have bad things to say about our liquidation…well then you should have left when it started & not have taken a paycheck from it..
In this day and age when so many people are suffering from the downfall of the economy, you should all just think waht an amazing women she IS for fighting fow what she believes in.
Yes, I am a current employee of a store that is re-opening & I am proud to say I am. Our company that you talk so badly of has been such a great part of many lives & will continue to be even though you have so many bad things to say. I hope that you enjoy your negaive banter & that finds you happiness each day. You know were you can find me…greeting our customers who care about us at our Greensboro store… saying thanks for shopping with us & we will see you again soon.
with great regards a PROUD swoozie employee….Andrea Bressler
@andrea bressler,
While I have not met Ms. Plank Dworkin, I have met many of the vendors and reps who have lost tens of thousands of dollars due to Swoozie’s business practices which led to its resulting bankruptcy.
Ms. Plank Dworkin may be a lovely individual, however, my main focus is, and has been on (a) her company and the vendors who allowed this debacle to occur; (b) the unprecedented amount of unpaid debt left in the hands of others as a result of Swoozie’s bankruptcy, (c) the loss of companies who were themselves irreparably damaged by fallout from that bankruptcy, and (d) the far-reaching negative consequences to the entire gift and stationery industries.
My opinion about resurrection of the failed brand and the ongoing damage resulting from that failure stands as written.
Anyone who is a Swoozie’s Customer or Employee would know and fully understand the statement “The real Swoozie’s” is referring to the fact that a court appointed liquidation company has been operating Swoozie’s for the last 2 ½ months of business. Now that the liquidation is over the Swoozie’s Website and Face Book Page is now being controlled by a Swoozie’s Employee “The real Swoozie’s” is back!
While it is a terrible situation for every one involved, the restructuring of Swoozie’s can only help the companies and landlords negatively affected by the bankruptcy. The amount of product that will need to be purchased to fill the returning stores will contribute to the bottom line of the vendors choosing to build or rebuild a business relationship with Swoozie’s. Those landlords choosing to keep Swoozie’s as part of their building obviously have confidence that the Swoozie’s brand is worth keeping. The industry needs for retail stores to survive this economy; everyone’s success is dependant upon it.
I am proud to have been a Swoozie’s Employee and respect each and everyone who traveled through this experience. I believe we have become stronger and better people and we will not run from adversity but stand strong to rebuild and earn the respect of our customers and vendors.
I have met Ms. Plank Dworkin. She was always very nice and pleasant when she would visit my store. Her intentions might be good but I suspect that she may be getting some poor advice by the “leaders” around her.
The store managers need to understand how to control expenses. Revenue does NOT equal profit. Spending thousands upon thousands of dollars shuttling merchandise all over the country for 70 % off tent sales will not help the bottom line. Employees were buying soap and toliet paper with their own money while Swoozie’s was running a catalog model contest with free trips to Atlanta and a professional photo shoot for the winners.
The fact that Ms. Bressler is trying to defend Swoozie’s and the leadership with a posting that is full of spelling and grammatical errors is amusing. Please check your spelling and grammar if you would like to be taken seriously.
I am a vendor (past and present) who is willing to ship to them. And here is why:
1. All’s fair in Love and War… and business. I don’t take it personally.
2. They have an extraordinary vision and dedication that was railroaded by circumstances beyond their control – most notably the complete dip in retail sales in October 2008.
3. The credit I extended was within my company’s ability to absorb. You don’t have to keep selling and extending credit.
4. One of the ways I can recoup is to give it another shot.
5. They have a strong investor who brings a lot of retail knowledge to the table.
So I’m in! And actually really excited about it.
Also – I’m wondering about that badge – the one that says “I’m very nice”. You have a powerful platform. Perhaps some proactive, positive, niceness would help us all get through this – and everyday. Business can be tough, nice goes along way.
Editor’s note: Nice goes a long way, as does honesty. Rather than sugar coat an opinion, I post it openly, then stand behind it. Discussing a story that has had massive impact on the stationery and gift industries by no means negates all the positive, uplifting posts and efforts that have appeared on this blog since its inception.
Dear Former Employee,
This will be my last post regarding this discussion. However, I really felt obligated to tell you the following:
1. The idea that you actually spent the time to check my spelling is what is amusing to me.
2. Yes, I personally did buy toilet paper & soap with my own money but was always reimbursed.
3. If you would like to be taken seriously…don’t hide behind a former employee signature.
Stand up for what you believe in.state your name & let everyone know who you are just as I did.
Whether or not you like my point of view or if my spelling errors bother you that much doesn’t change how I feel about a company that again I am PROUD to be apart of & excited to continue with on our new journey!!
To “Former Employee” who submitted an additional comment on 9/19/10:
Given the allegations included in your most recent comment (dated 9/19/10), plus the fact you provided an email address that refers to the PR department at Swoozie’s, I’m unable to post your comment without your real name and a verifiable email address.
Please know that I’m not second guessing what you wrote is true (or assuming that it’s not). Without your real name and contact info, however, I can’t risk the legal ramifications that could come as a result of publishing such incendiary information.
Cinda
Cinda,
Can’t post my name b/c I’m still in the industry. I am real ex-employee that clearly is still bitter…however not bitter or dumb enough to post my name and email.
Sorry then I should not have wrote anything. Didn’t mean to put you in a bad spot.
Thanks for not wanting to put me in a bad spot…but I do suggest you stop using the Swoozie’s PR email address on blog comments. Pretty sure most folks (inside or outside the company) would agree with me that it’s bad form.