Garden Botanika Will Close Stores, Sell Assets

Garden Botanika Inc., a personal-care products company that’s operating under bankruptcy protection, said it will close all of its 109 stores and seek to sell its trademarks, Web site and other assets to an undisclosed party. The proceeds of the store-liquidation sales will be used to pay off debt, the Redmond, Wash.-based company said. Garden Botanika, which sells cosmetics, perfumes and other products, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 1999. The plan to sell its assets is subject to court approval. Company officials didn’t return phone calls seeking comment. The company has 22 stores in California. Garden Botanika shares closed at 2 cents, off 1 cent, in over-the-counter trading.