LAKE PLACID — Patrick Hacketts Hardware Co., which runs a department store in Tupper Lake, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday, two days after closing its Gouverneur store under threat of eviction.

Hacketts Chief Operating Officer Herbert Becker said the filing would not change operations in Tupper Lake or at any of the other three stores the Ogdensburg-based company runs.

“It’s a reorganization process. For the most part, what it means is the debt has been pushed off. This is an effort to remain viable so that we can turn it around.

“Basically, what happens is this stops anyone from doing any more damage to us. Everything stays the same. Chapter 11 protects jobs; it protects payroll.

“The easy way would have been to file Chapter 7, lock the door and walk away. But we’re here to stay. Things have been going well.”

‘MORE Organized’

Becker said the court filing took place at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

“Lawyers will contact all our vendors, and it will take time for the bank to release our account.”

Thomas W. Scozzafava, CEO of Hacketts and Seaway Valley Capital Corp., told the Watertown Daily Times, “It’s been a constant whack-a-mole situation, if you will, which makes us unable to run the company. Bankruptcy protection will allow us to do it in a more organized fashion, albeit more expensive.”

Scozzafava is not related to the Moriah town supervisor with the same name. But his sister is Deirdre Scozzafava, who recently withdrew as Republican candidate in the embattled District 23 Congressional election.

Overdue rent

Chapter 11 is the most recent adjustment in the 150-year-old company’s tumultuous push to restructure operations.

Becker was hired to run Hacketts six months ago, as stores in Watertown, Pulaski and Canton closed following 18 months of rapid-fire expansion.