Canadian locations. The company also had a children's furniture and accessories retail concept in the United States called Pier 1 Kids which was disbanded in September 2007. It was a member of the S&P MidCap 400 list through the end of 2006, when it was bumped off the list. Pier 1 Imports also owned a chain of home-decor retailers in the United Kingdom called "The Pier" until it was sold to Palli Limited, a subsidiary of the Iceland-based Lagerinn ehf in March 2006 for approximately $15 million. This chain went into Administration in December 2008 and was finally closed in January 2009. On May 19, 2020, the company announced it was asking the bankruptcy court to cease its retail operations "as soon as reasonably possible", blaming the drastic decision on closures caused by COVID-19 and failing to find a buyer. The company stated that orders placed on its website will continue to be fulfilled, and that it plans to sell its remaining inventory, website and intellectual property. Merchandise Pier 1 merchandise consists of home furnishings and items including accessories such as candles, vases, and picture frames as well as full-sized upholstered furniture, hand-carved armoires, large-scale vases and eclectic wall décor. Items are imported, created in conjunction with foreign designers, or produced by Pier 1's Trend and Product Development team. Partnerships Pier 1 became a corporate partner of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF since 1985, its longest-running corporate partnership. As of 2013, this partnership had generated more than $42 million by selling UNICEF greeting cards, cause marketing, and emergency relief for Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iraq, as well as areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami. Former spokespeople for the company, seen largely in broadcast commercials, include Cheers alumna Kirstie Alley and Thom Filicia of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Gallery See also The Akron Notes References External links 1962 establishments in California 1970s initial public offerings Companies based in Fort Worth, Texas Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange Furniture retailers of the United States Home decor retailers American companies established in 1962 Retail companies established in 1962 Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 American companies disestablished in 2020 Companies disestablished due to the COVID-19 pandemic Retail companies disestablished in 2020