DeSears files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Two months after opening its first store in Pinellas County in 17 years, the owners of DeSears Appliance and Home Entertainment have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Appliance World, a Denver chain that acquired the 61-year-old Bradenton appliance dealer in 2007, cited the poor economy and a need to restructure debt and relations with some vendors and landlords. But the company intends to remain in business. After closing one of its four Florida stores last summer in Palmetto, DeSears opened another at 2020 66th St. N in St. Petersburg to test the Tampa Bay market.