New life for C. Wonder

New York — C. Wonder, which shuttered all its stores and filed Chapter 11 early this year, is getting a second chance—sort of.

Xcel Brands has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the C. Wonder brand from Burch Acquisition LLC. The deal gives Xcel the rights to thr C. Wonder trademarks, related designs and other intellectual property rights.

The closing of the acquisition is subject to board approval

Xcel, which owns the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H by Halston and H Halston brands and designs and manages the Liz Claiborne New York brand, said it would provide further information on its plans for C. Wonder following completion of the transaction.

C. Wonder was founded by J. Christopher Burch in 2011. Its initial Manhattan location drew lots of attention, and the brand started adding stores. Experts said the company grew too fast out. Burch Acqusition, controlled by Burch, purchased the C. Wonder brand after it went bankrupt with an eye to redeveloping and expanding the brand.