Quick sale of Robb & Stucky

Bankruptcy cases can be long, drawn-out affairs, but upscale-furniture retailer Robb & Stucky sped through the process in about one month.

But it was clear from the time the Fort Myers-based chain filed for protection from creditors Feb. 18 that the likely outcome would be a going-out-of-business sale. Its Chapter 11 reorganization filing spelled out the details if a last-minute buyer couldn't be found.

Indeed, customers are now flocking to the 20 Robb & Stucky stores in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada to rummage through $90 million worth of discounted furniture.

The sight of so many bargain shoppers makes you wonder: If they could have just held on a little longer or adjusted their prices earlier, maybe they would have made it.