Big changes are coming to Florida’s home improvement scene as LL Flooring, the company once known as Lumber Liquidators, is shutting down five of its stores across the state. This isn’t just a Florida issue—LL Flooring is going through a massive restructuring nationwide after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which will affect 94 stores in 31 states.
A Bit of Background
LL Flooring’s troubles date back to 2015 when a damaging “60 Minutes” report accused the company of selling laminate flooring from China with unsafe levels of formaldehyde. That scandal hit the company hard. They had to deal with legal battles, plead guilty to environmental crimes and false statements, and eventually settle with state officials. On top of that, consumer-led class action lawsuits piled up, adding to their financial woes.
Why It Matters to Florida
Here in Florida, the timing of these closures couldn’t be more interesting. The state’s housing market is still booming, with more people moving in and the demand for home renovation products staying strong. LL Flooring pulling out of key locations leaves a big gap in the market. It’s a move that might force Floridians to look elsewhere when they need materials for their flooring projects.