BREAKING: Iconic New England Retailer Circle Furniture Abruptly Shuts All Stores After 70-Year Run

In a shock development for New England’s retail community, Circle Furniture — a regional furniture chain that had served customers for nearly 70 years — suddenly closed all of its stores this month, abruptly ending decades of operations.

The company, known for quality home furnishings and design services across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, announced on its website that all locations are closed until further notice. The closures were not accompanied by prior public warning or a formal bankruptcy filing, intensifying surprises for customers and staff alike. Newsweek

Staff Informed Days Before Closure

Employees were first notified of the impending shutdown via a company-wide email on December 19, according to reports. A second email sent on December 23 informed workers that their positions were being terminated immediately due to the company’s inability to continue operations.

The notice stated that, “with a heavy heart, circumstance have gone against the business, and we can no longer afford to continue operations,” effective December 23. The company did offer that health benefits would remain active through the end of the month.

A Long Legacy Comes to an End

Founded in the early 1950s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Circle Furniture was originally a family-run business started by the Tubman family. Over time it grew to include multiple showrooms throughout the region, maintaining a reputation for quality furnishings and community ties.

In recent years, ownership changed hands, with Robert and Paula Richard taking over. Though the new leadership expanded store locations — including a showroom on Cape Cod that opened in 2025 — several employees suggested that rapid expansion and increased debt placed a strain on the business’s financial health.

Employee and Community Reaction

Long-time staff members expressed shock and concern over the timing of the closure just before the holiday season. One employee, Jonathan Boyle, who had worked at Circle Furniture for four decades and even served as company president, said he was blindsided by the news.

Many affected workers have already begun searching for new employment, and local customers have taken to social platforms expressing disbelief and disappointment at the abrupt loss of the retailer. Reddit

Uncertain Future for Orders and Operations

The retailer did not publicly outline how outstanding customer orders or vendor obligations would be handled. Since no bankruptcy filing has been made public, the future of warranties, deliveries, and returns remains unclear — raising concerns for consumers who made recent purchases. Mi Bolsillo USA

Industry analysts note that Circle Furniture’s closure reflects the broader challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers in the current economic climate, where competition from online platforms and shifting consumer spending habits have squeezed traditional outlets.