Home Care In Bath, PA

PENNSYLVANIA — Bed Bath & Beyond plans to begin closing its stores in Pennsylvania this week as it has filed for bankruptcy, and anticipates closing all of its U.S. stores by this summer.

“Thank you to all of our loyal customers,” the retailer’s website said. “We have made the difficult decision to begin winding down our operations.”

The home furnishings giant filed for bankruptcy Sunday and is set to begin the process this week of closing its stores. A hearing is scheduled for Monday in New Jersey bankruptcy court, as the store is based in Union. Related article — Bed Bath & Beyond Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Sales Start This Week

Once a national leader for big-box home furnishings and ever-present coupons, Bed Bath & Beyond has been signaling its future bankruptcy for months with store closings and layoffs.

The company has not estimated how many more employees in Pennsylvania would be affected, but has already begun laying off workers under the Bed Bath & Beyond and Harmon brands.

Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvaniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sixteen Bed Bath & Beyond stores remain in Pennsylvania:

The company employed 14,000 workers across the nation, according to the court filing —a drastic drop from 32,000 employees as of February 2022.

The firm said its 360 Bed Bath & Beyond and 120 Buy Buy Baby stores and websites will remain open and continue serving customers as it "begins its efforts to effectuate the closure of its retail locations."

Closing sales were set to start Wednesday, at which point coupons will no longer be accepted. Rewards, gift cards, merchandise credits and certain returns will be accepted through various points in May.

Despite its plans for liquidation, the company intends to use the bankruptcy proceedings for the sale of some or all assets, filing motions to market Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby for auction.

So far this year, party supplies chain Party City and David's Bridal have been among the retailers that have filed for Chapter 11.

"Millions of customers have trusted us through the most important milestones in their lives — from going to college to getting married, settling into a new home to having a baby," President and CEO Sue Gove said in a company news release announcing the bankruptcy filing.

"We deeply appreciate our associates, customers, partners, and the communities we serve, and we remain steadfastly determined to serve them throughout this process. We will continue working diligently to maximize value for the benefit of all stakeholders."

For more information about the bankruptcy filing, visit restructuring.ra.kroll.com/bbby.

UNION, NJ — Home furnishings giant Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy Sunday and is set to begin the process this week of closing its stores. The company operates a store locally in the Newtown Shopping Center next to Staples and Chick-Fil-A.

“Thank you to all of our loyal customers,” the retailer’s website said. “We have made the difficult decision to begin winding down our operations.”

The Union, New Jersey-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey and listed its estimated assets and liabilities at up to $10 billion. So far this year, party supplies chain Party City and David's Bridal have been among the retailers that have filed for Chapter 11.

The firm said its 360 Bed Bath & Beyond and 120 Buy Buy Baby stores and websites will remain open and continue serving customers as it "begins its efforts to effectuate the closure of its retail locations." Closing sales are set to start Wednesday, at which point coupons will no longer be accepted. Rewards, gift cards, merchandise credits and certain returns will be accepted through various points in May.

"Millions of customers have trusted us through the most important milestones in their lives — from going to college to getting married, settling into a new home to having a baby," President and CEO Sue Gove said in a company news release announcing the bankruptcy filing.

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"We deeply appreciate our associates, customers, partners, and the communities we serve, and we remain steadfastly determined to serve them throughout this process. We will continue working diligently to maximize value for the benefit of all stakeholders."

Despite its plans for liquidation, the company intends to use the bankruptcy proceedings for the sale of some or all assets, filing motions to market Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby for auction.

"In the event of a successful sale, the company will pivot away from any store closings needed to implement a transaction," the news release said. "The company believes this dual-path process will best maximize value."

The retailer said it secured a commitment of roughly $240 million in financing from Sixth Street Specialty Lending Inc. to allow it to keep operating during the bankruptcy process.

For more information about the bankruptcy filing, visit restructuring.ra.kroll.com/bbby.

Anna Schier, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.

Jessica Ferrara never thought securing items from her baby shower registry would be a major source of stress at the end of her pregnancy.

But since Bed Bath & Beyond announced last month that it was going out of business, the experience has been “a nightmare,” one that has left her and her husband out at least $1,000, she said.

As they saw stock getting low on certain items that had been on the registry with Buy Buy Baby, which is owned by Bed Bath & Beyond, the Easton, Pa., couple began online shopping for necessities, such as a crib that converts into a toddler bed and the items needed to turn a dresser into a changing table. Then, before the purchases arrived, the site indicated they went out of stock, she said. No one from customer service has been able to help them get their money back, Ferrara said, or provide clarity on whether the items will arrive before their first child is born early this summer.

“Your third trimester you’re supposed to be enjoying it and nesting,” said Ferrara, 36. “There certainly hasn’t been any nesting going on.”

Ferrara’s baby shower is Saturday, and guests can no longer view her registry. Even if they could, she added, every item is out of stock or discontinued. At this point, she said, she’s hoping people give her gift cards.

Just not to Bed Bath & Beyond or Buy Buy Baby.

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The chain, famous for its ever-redeemable 20% off coupons, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month and announced a “winding down” process for its remaining 360 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, as well as its 120 Buy Buy Baby locations. All stores are set to be closed by July.

Those beloved coupons are no longer accepted (though the Container Store and Boscov’s will take them until the end of May). Gift cards, rewards, and merchandise credits can’t be used anymore, either.

After the closing announcement last month, Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby told customers it planned to partner with another platform, to which they could transfer their existing registry data. At the time, the company said it would share more details in the coming days.

More than two weeks later, that information has not been released on their social media channels or website.

“Customers’ registry data is important to us. As we work diligently to partner with a third-party that allows our registry customers to transfer their data and complete their registry, customers can continue to view and download their existing registry data,” Bed Bath & Beyond said Wednesday in a statement. “We’ll provide updates as they are available.”

While registrants such as Ferrara have been left frustrated and in the dark, others narrowly escaped the headache by ditching their Bed Bath & Beyond registries in the months before the latest bankruptcy.

Since January, Zola, a popular wedding planning and registry site, has seen an increasing number of couples migrating their registries from Bed Bath & Beyond. Even before the bankruptcy announcement, the number of couples with upcoming weddings who linked Bed Bath & Beyond registries to their Zola accounts had fallen by half compared with couples with 2022 weddings, a decrease representing thousands of registries, according to spokesperson Emily Forrest.

Hundreds of couples have emailed Zola customer support to ask for assistance in removing Bed Bath & Beyond items from their registries. About 200 did so proactively, Forrest said, and hundreds more have asked for help since the bankruptcy announcement.

Lisa Glennon, 31, of South Philadelphia, shut down her Bed Bath & Beyond wedding registry in the days after the bankruptcy, moving everything on that list to an Amazon registry.

Only four items on the Bed Bath & Beyond registry had been purchased — she isn’t sure by whom — in advance of her June bridal shower. Despite the company’s initial assurances, she didn’t want anyone else to purchase an item, in case it didn’t come.

“It’s people’s money,” she said. “And now whoever bought the four things on the registry: Are they going to get there?”

Ferrara said she would have redone her registry on another site, but she was too far along in a high-risk pregnancy to do so. Plus, right after Bed Bath & Beyond’s bankruptcy announcement, she added, the company told people with registries not to worry.

Ferrara’s weeks have been far from worry-free since.

“We’ve spent most of our own money getting our own registry gifts at this point, and we haven’t even tipped the scale of all the things you need for the newborn,” she said. “I’m on the phone with customer service nonstop. … No one is really willing to help at this point.”

These bathroom essentials channel the feel-good factor, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

It’s the place we bare all, relax and unwind; a soothing sanctuary where we wash the cares of the day away.

Indeed, turning a bog-standard bathroom into spa-inspired zen zone could even reduce stress, promote relaxation and boost your wellbeing. What’s not to love?

But if your washroom is looking a little lacklustre, your towels are feeling scratchy and the soap dish is dated, here’s how to dazzle up your downtime…

1. Ashley Bathroom Accessories Range: from £2.99 for the Soap Dish, to £4.99 for the Soap Dispenser, and £9.99 for Toilet Brush Holder, The Range

This nifty navy set has boutique hotel written all over it. Especially if you play up the gold detailing with a sunburst mirror in a glam finish.

2. Matthew Williamson Luxury Soft Cotton Towels in Navy, Green and Pink, from £18 to £50, Next

When you want to mirror three favourite colours from a luxurious beach escape – think green swaying palm leaves, pink sand and azure blue skies – these colourways tick all the five-star boxes.

3. Grey Marble Soap Dispenser, £4, Marble Bathroom Duck, £3, Towels from £3, Brown Glass Jar Candle, £3, Black Over Bath Rack, £12, B&M in-store – available from the end of February

Bath racks are a godsend, especially when you want to light a candle, lie back and enjoy a long soak.

4. Christy Renaissance Egg Shell Blue Towels, from £4.20 (Face Cloth, was £6), to £11.20 (Hand Towel, was £16), to £29.40, (Bath Sheet, was £42), Christy

Texture is key with these luxuriously soft towels. Super absorbent with Egyptian cotton in the pile, it will only take a couple of pats to dry your skin.

5. George Natural Bamboo 3 Tier Storage Caddy, £18, George Bamboo Make Up Pad Storage, £6, rest of items from a selection, Direct.asda

The next best thing to a bamboo-themed spa, this caddy feels bang up to date with an artisan, hand-finished feel.

6. Ribbed Pink Bathroom Set, £5, Studio.co.uk – available from the end of February

Pink, pretty and practical – the perfect addition to a bathroom this spring.

7. M&S X Fired Earth Marrakech Collection Towel in Pompeiian Red, from £8 (Guest Towel) to £18 (Bath Towel), to £25.50 (Guest Sheet), Marks & Spencer

With a Middle Eastern vibe, this exotic towel collection will take you one step closer to a souk.

8. Rope Rectangle Basket in White, £5, Marble Mirror, £7, Square Woven Basket in White, £6, Towels from £3, B&M – available from the end of February

These stylish bathroom accessories have the look of luxe without being spendy.

9. Soho Rose Wall Tile, £44.40 per box (covers one square metre), Porcelain Superstore

Trending big time, glossy pink tiles with rich glazing have a bespoke feel, and shimmer like a conch shell. An added bonus, they’ll look just as striking as a splashback, if wall-to-wall tiling isn’t suitable for your space.

10. Southbourne Standing Towel Rail in Beech, £130, other items from a selection, Garden Trading

For resort-style air drying, give your towels a good shake before hanging them on this Scandi-style towel rail. Ideal for bath sheets which need extra space to fluff up.

11. George Trailing Plant in Ceramic Pink Pot, £8, Direct.asda

Create an idyllic indoor oasis with this faux foliage.

12. Wooden Bath Tidy, £60, The White Company

An upscale bath caddy to cradle your hero body products, this one’s handmade from oak – and strong enough to hold a glass of sparkle… or two.

BATH, Pa. — Bath Mayor Fiorella Reginelli Mirabito gave voters of state Senate District 14 a Valentine's Day date for coffee with state Sen. Nick Miller at the borough Municipal Building on Wednesday.

Mirabito invited Miller for a heart-to-heart conversation with local constituents, who expressed their views and concerns a variety of issues pertinent to the Lehigh Valley, particularly linked to employment, education and housing.

The senator kicked off the proceedings telling the group of about a dozen attendees that his priorities included education — especially in light of high property taxes in northeastern Pennsylvania — economic development and housing and community safety.

Education was a particularly important topic, with several citizens questioning Miller about public school funding, charters and strengthening trade instruction.

“I think that we have to fully fund our public schools so we don't leave behind our poorest and neediest students. That's the bottom line."

State Sen. Nick Miller

“I think that we have to fully fund our public schools so we don't leave behind our poorest and neediest students," Miller said. "That's the bottom line.

"I'm willing to have the conversation about vouchers, that’s not a question. But until you fully fund our public schools, our neediest families utilize those" public schools.

Miller later said adding infrastructure and supply changes — air conditioning, etc. — can play a significant role in making public schools more palatable for those in needy areas.

Miller later said he will continue to enact the recommendations pointed out in the basic education funding commission report, as they are a necessity for the Lehigh Valley and the state.

Other education priorities included incentivizing teachers to public schools with increased pay, in addition to creating more opportunities to learn trade work through partnerships with Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and other private entities.

Other hot topics

Affordable housing was a hot topic as well, with Eric Miller of Miller’s Manufactured Housing Communities in Bath explaining the need to support small businesses such as his as opposed to large, corporate-owned housing operations.

“Your small businesses are your backbone and your community. I mean, it's always been like that. They're the ones that help out your local community, your youth sports, that donate their time."

Eric Miller of Miller’s Manufactured Housing Communities in Bath

“Your small businesses are your backbone and your community," Miller said.

"I mean, it's always been like that. They're the ones that help out your local community, your youth sports, that donate their time.

“Corporate really doesn't do that other than send a check, but it's not the same feel. And I know everyone can see that if you grew up with an area where there was a lot of mom-and-pops and all that stuff.

"And it's a whole different atmosphere with corporate, you know, and that's where I think a lot of the younger generations are growing up on that.”

Miller also said he was concerned about locals being priced out of affordable housing by conglomerates. He said he's willing to give the senator the benefit of the doubt, and was happy to have an opportunity to connect with him to express his concerns.

Residents' reactions

Shaddy Younes of Whitehall Township said he found Miller’s engagement “very informative,” and looks forward to seeing what the senator will do with what he heard.

“He’s got a very good line on what the Lehigh Valley is looking for," Younes said. "It's just, how much can actually be done at a government level? How much cooperation are we going to see within the PA State House and State Senate?

“I always enjoy hearing from folks and understanding their priorities and how we can be more effective in our leadership."

State Sen. Nick Miller

"But I think he's got a really good pulse on the Lehigh Valley and you know, what the people in the Lehigh Valley are looking for."

Mirabito said she thought the event went well.

“I’m very happy that the senator made time to come here and do this, and I plan on doing more of these,” she said.

Staying after to engage with attendees one-on-one, Miller said he found the event informative.

“I always enjoy hearing from folks and understanding their priorities and how we can be more effective in our leadership,” Miller said.