Private equity firm to revitalize Swoozie’s

Denver Private equity firm Gart Capital Partners said Friday it has purchased the remaining assets of Atlanta-based stationery and gift retailer Swoozie’s for an undisclosed price.

Swoozie’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April. The newly formed company of Gart Capital Partners and founder Plank-Dworkin plans to begin re-opening up to eight stores in Georgia; Alabama; South Carolina; North Carolina; Texas; Florida and potentially Denver by late summer. The new team also plans to have their online retail operations re-activated in the next few weeks.

Current Gart investments include Colorado Bag’n Baggage, a chain of 30 stores featuring luxury luggage, briefcases, and purses; and Golf TEC golf-improvement chain with 145 stores in 27 states. Recently, Gart sold its remaining interest in Specialty Sports Venture, a collection of 135 ski retail and rental shops, to Vail Resorts.