The chairman of New York firm that acquired the Rugged Bear brand out of bankruptcy court last week is a partner and board member at several apparel companies distributed through maternity, men’s fashion and department stores, according to his page on LinkedIn.
Eli Yedid, president of TRB Acquisitions LLC of New York, lists himself as a partner and board member at English Laundry, Liz Lange Maternity, Harve Benard Apparel, Cutie Pie Baby, Inc. as well as The Sharper Image, a brand which has been kept alive through licensing deals with retailers since filing bankruptcy in 2008.
TRB last week acquired the intellectual property of bankrupt Boston-based retailer Rugged Bear and said it plans to keep the 32-year-old children’s outdoor brand going by licensing it across the outerwear, footwear, sportswear, hosiery and cold weather categories. Court records indicate TRB acquired the trademarks through Cutie Pie Baby for $50,000. The purchase included the Rugged Bear and Live Life Rugged trademarks, logo's, website, style and pattern books.
Rugged Bear declared bankruptcy in January 2011 a year after a Boston investment brokerage bought the retailer with plans to take it nationwide.
