MORRISTOWN, TN -- Barcalounger, a popular brand of furniture recliners that suddenly closed its domestic plant last spring and filed for Chapter 11, plans to reemerge as an importer of products made in China.

Furniture Today reported that Barcalounger will mark its return with 20 chairs that will be inventoried in Martinsville, VA, and Riverside, CA. FT said the company will be led by Larry Smith, Barcalounger's president when the company filed for bankruptcy protection.

In making its come back, Barcalounger, now owned by HPC3 Furniture Holdings, will no longer be affiliated with American of Martinsville, the contract furniture manufacturer that also sought bankruptcy protection.

WoodworkingNetwork.com reported on October 15 that the equipment and inventory totaling an estimated $8.5 million of Barcalounger and American of Martinsville were auctioned off.

Joerns Healthcare of Stevens Point, WI, which bought the intellectual property of American of Martinsville, reportedly plans to re-launch the AOM brand to its senior living community.