Musicland Holding Corp. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Musicland Holding Corp., which operates the Sam Goody music and video stores, filed for bankruptcy Thursday. The company said it will use a $75 million loan to continue operating as it is restructured.

Musicland filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York, said spokeswoman Brenda Adrian. The company is a unit of buyout firm Sun Capital Partners Inc., based in Boca Raton, Fla. It also operates the Suncoast Motion Picture Co. and Media Play stores.

Musicland said in a statement that its financial difficulties are due to shrinking retail demand for music and movies, increased electronic downloading of music and competition from larger retailers. The company said last month that it will close the Media Play stores. Under the restructuring, Musicland will "streamline operations and get the company to a size to make it profitable," Adrian said.

There are 61 Media Play stores selling music, movies, video games and books in 18 states, according to the company's Web site. All of the stores will be closed by the end of this month, Adrian said.