Introduction
For more than a century, ABC Carpet & Home has stood as a beacon of elevated design, mindful sourcing, and curated interiors in New York City. Known for its vast selection of rugs, artisan furniture, vintage accents, and soulful home décor, the brand carved a niche far beyond mass retail. From spiritual sculptures to sustainably sourced carpets, ABC wasn’t just a store—it was an experience.
But like many legacy retailers, it faced existential challenges in the post-pandemic world. The economic strain, shifting shopping habits, and an outdated business model forced ABC into a reckoning. Now, rising from bankruptcy and strategic reorganization, ABC Carpet & Home is undergoing a full-scale reinvention—a case study in both modern retail adaptation and preserving cultural legacy.
The History of ABC Carpet & Home: A 125-Year Legacy
Founded in 1897 as a small carpet store on Broadway in Manhattan, ABC started its journey as a modest rug shop. Over the decades, it expanded under successive generations of ownership and visionaries who elevated it beyond basic carpet retail into a sanctuary for global design.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, the company was thriving, operating multiple floors inside its sprawling Flatiron flagship. It attracted everyone from high-end designers to spiritual seekers, offering everything from Moroccan poufs and Indian handwoven rugs to crystal altars and reclaimed wood furniture. At its height, the store generated more than $80 million in annual revenue and employed hundreds.
ABC became synonymous with ethically sourced goods, eco-conscious manufacturing, and aesthetic transcendence. It wasn’t just a furniture store—it was a curated gallery of meaning and texture.
From Boom to Bankruptcy: What Went Wrong
Despite its cultural status, ABC was not immune to the challenges plaguing brick-and-mortar retail. Rising rents, inventory complexities, and the global retail shift toward e-commerce created friction. By 2021, the company was struggling to maintain profitability.
In the wake of the pandemic, which deeply impacted foot traffic and supply chains, ABC Carpet & Home filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s inability to pivot fast enough to digital retail trends and streamline operations left it vulnerable.
The once-iconic brand found itself in uncharted waters—forced to sell, restructure, and rethink its identity in an evolving marketplace.
Acquisition and Renewal: Enter 888 Capital Partners
In 2021, private equity firm 888 Capital Partners acquired ABC Carpet & Home for $26 million. The acquisition marked a turning point. With new leadership, the company began shedding its expansive floor model and focused on a digital-first strategy.
Rather than abandoning its heritage, the plan was to blend the mystique and creativity of ABC’s past with the efficiency and flexibility of modern retail.
One of the first changes? Downsizing the company’s massive flagship at 888 Broadway into a more curated two-level experience. The goal wasn’t to shrink, but to refine—turning ABC into a design-focused destination rather than a warehouse-style store.
Modernizing the Brand: A Focus on Curated Commerce
The reimagined ABC Carpet & Home now blends in-store experience with a revitalized e-commerce platform. The company introduced several major changes to meet the needs of today’s design-conscious but digitally savvy consumer:
1. Online Expansion
ABC’s website became a key investment. The brand improved its online catalog, streamlined product discovery, and enhanced media content with product videos and editorial storytelling. This helped drive conversions and extend its reach beyond New York.
2. “Marketplace” In-Store Model
Rather than acting as a traditional showroom, the new flagship store in Manhattan uses a “store within a store” approach. Each section is themed or branded—featuring curated displays by independent designers and partnerships with heritage rug makers, furniture artisans, and jewelry makers.
3. Visual Storytelling and Sustainability
ABC remains committed to showcasing pieces with a story. Products are often accompanied by background details on sourcing, makers, and materials. This ethical transparency, long a part of the brand’s ethos, is now front and center.
4. Heritage Meets Now
They’ve also launched exclusive edits with fashion and design icons, infusing the brand with a more contemporary, editorial look while maintaining its bohemian and spiritual undercurrents.
A New Chapter: ABC Carpet & Home Greenwich
In a major step forward, ABC is launching a brand-new store in Greenwich, Connecticut. The two-level, 12,500-square-foot space aims to bring ABC’s signature design culture to a fresh market outside of New York.
The store will showcase hand-knotted rugs, unique vintage pieces, sustainable home accessories, lighting installations, and even vintage jewelry. The Greenwich Avenue location is set up as a collaborative space—intended to connect with both customers and the local interior design community.
This is not just a new store—it’s a blueprint for ABC’s retail future. Expansion into regions like Florida and California is reportedly in the planning stage.
What Customers Are Saying: A Mixed Review
ABC Carpet & Home has always been a love-it-or-leave-it kind of brand. While many customers remain passionate about the store’s values and artistic curation, recent reviews have revealed challenges that remain post-bankruptcy.
Positive Feedback
Shoppers still describe the Manhattan store as magical and awe-inspiring.
Customers appreciate the focus on artisanal and sustainable goods.
The in-store layout offers inspiration and a gallery-like shopping experience.
Rug quality, when delivered correctly, is considered high-end and durable.
Negative Experiences
Some users have reported long shipping delays or damaged deliveries.
A number of complaints cite poor customer service post-sale.
There are reports of issues with refunds or exchanges being delayed or denied.
A few long-time customers feel that the charm of the multi-floor, immersive store experience has been lost.
As ABC continues its rebrand and system improvements, these experiences remain a crucial part of its narrative—and a reminder that legacy alone won’t guarantee future success.
ABC Carpet & Home Outlet and Sales
ABC still maintains a Brooklyn-based outlet location, where overstock, discontinued, and sample items are sold at a discount. These pieces span everything from area rugs and antique tables to upholstered furniture and decorative items.
Online, the company regularly features seasonal sales—particularly during major retail events like Black Friday, Memorial Day, and post-holiday markdowns. The focus remains on offering sustainably made, unique pieces at more accessible prices, without compromising design standards.
Future Outlook: Can ABC Stay Relevant in a Fast-Moving Market?
As ABC Carpet & Home looks toward the future, the central challenge is to remain relevant in a landscape dominated by direct-to-consumer furniture brands, online marketplaces, and fast-shipping mega-retailers.
However, ABC has what many newer brands don’t—soul.
Its legacy of cultural immersion, ethically made products, and community-centered design give it a distinct personality. If it can balance heritage with functionality, curated experience with logistics, and beauty with customer care, ABC may not only survive this retail evolution—it may thrive.
Final Thoughts
ABC Carpet & Home is more than a store—it’s a reflection of changing design values, a history of spiritual and artistic engagement, and a brand that continues to adapt in a complex retail environment. From its roots in Manhattan’s Flatiron District to its digital rebirth and new Connecticut presence, ABC remains a bold name in American home design.
As it repositions itself for the future, its journey offers valuable insights into how businesses can blend tradition with transformation.
For more home design stories, décor tips, and insights into retail reinvention, be sure to visit Dwellmend.com—your go-to resource for inspired living and thoughtful interiors.