Levitz is asking the court for approval of a $90-million debtor-in-possession credit facility by GE Commercial Finance, which is to include an incremental credit facility of $25 million arranged by Prentice Capital Management. With the financing "we are able to implement a restructuring plan that will provide us a platform for future success," says C. Mark Scott, Levitz's president and CEO, in a statement.

Levitz has previously filed for bankruptcy, in 1997, from which it emerged in 2001. During that period the company closed about half of its stores, leaving it with about 60 units.

Also in 2001, Levitz merged with Seaman Furniture Company, creating a company with 116 stores, about half under the Levitz name and the remainder under Seaman's. In May Levitz changed the Seaman's stores into Levitz units, though the company still sell furniture under the Seaman name.