Bed Bath and Beyond — Rise, Fall, and Revival of an American Home Retail Icon

A concise overview of the retailer's origins, growth, Chapter 11 filing, asset sale, and modern revival — what happened and what it means for customers and retail.

Estimated read: 6–8 minutes · Updated: August 21, 2025

Introduction — what this article covers

Bed Bath and Beyond was once a dominant U.S. big‑box retailer for home goods, famous for its large stores and ubiquitous coupons. This article explains: the company's origins, the strategic and operational challenges that led to bankruptcy in 2023, the sale of its intellectual property and brand, and the brand's attempted revival and recent developments through 2025.

If you want a quick takeaway: the original retail chain closed in 2023, its brand assets were bought and repurposed, and the name is now being used in new online and small‑format retail efforts rather than as a return to the old big‑box model.

Founding and rise (1971–2010s)

Founded in 1971 by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein as Bed 'n Bath, the company expanded through the 1980s and rebranded as Bed Bath & Beyond as its store footprint and product range grew. The brand became known for wide assortments of bedding, bath products, kitchenware, and home furnishings — often sold in large neighborhood superstores and supported by recognizable coupon promotions.

Peak, disruption, and mounting troubles

By the 2000s the company had become a household name, but like many legacy retailers it faced increased competition from e‑commerce, changing customer behavior, and supply‑chain and inventory challenges. Strategic missteps, rising costs, and operational friction amid shifting retail trends eroded margins and market share in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

Bankruptcy and liquidation (2023)

Key points:

April 2023: The company filed for Chapter 11 amid severe liquidity problems.
April–July 2023: Physical stores were liquidated and shuttered.
June 2023: Overstock.com (and related parties) acquired the Bed Bath & Beyond trademark and digital assets at auction.

The Chapter 11 filing and subsequent liquidation marked the end of the original business model. Store closures left many customers with expired or unusable gift cards and created a notable retail footprint of empty former store locations.

Acquisition, rebrand, and early revival attempts

After the liquidation of the original chain, Overstock.com purchased the intellectual property and later announced plans to operate under the Bed Bath & Beyond name — a strategy to leverage brand recognition for online retail and a reimagined physical presence. The revived brand shifted emphasis away from the old sprawling superstore layout to a mix of e‑commerce, partnerships, and smaller-format openings.

Status in 2024–2025: revival with a different playbook

In 2023–2025 the Bed Bath & Beyond brand has been used by new owners and partners to launch targeted stores and an online platform. The relaunch strategy focuses on:

Smaller, curated store formats rather than the original big‑box footprint.
Stronger integration with e‑commerce and existing digital retail infrastructure.
Partnerships with retail operators to manage physical footprints in a risk-controlled way.

Recent developments (August 2025): the company announced it will not reopen stores in California, focusing instead on other states and online sales.

What this means for customers and the market

For former customers: the legacy Bed Bath & Beyond coupons and in‑store guarantees may no longer be honored in the old way — always check the revived brand’s official site and purchase terms.

For retail observers: the brand’s resurrection is an example of how valuable intellectual property and brand recognition can be repurposed. Instead of reviving the prior cost structure, owners are testing smaller, experience‑driven formats and digital-first approaches.

Compact timeline

1971 — Bed 'n Bath founded.
1987 — Rebranded as Bed Bath & Beyond; national expansion.
2023 (Apr–Jul) — Chapter 11 and liquidation of brick‑and‑mortar stores.
2023 (June–Aug) — Brand assets acquired and initial online relaunch plans announced.
2024–2025 — Small-format store openings and brand repositioning; selective state strategies announced.

FAQ

Is Bed Bath & Beyond still a company?: Yes — the original corporation that operated the big‑box stores closed, but the brand and digital assets were acquired and are being used by new owners to operate online and in limited retail formats.
Can I still use an old coupon or gift card?: Policies vary; many legacy in‑store coupons from the old chain are no longer valid. Check the revived brand's official terms or customer service for gift card policies.
Are the new stores the same as the old big‑box locations?: No. The strategy emphasizes smaller footprint stores and e‑commerce integration rather than returning to the large superstore model.