Bonwit Teller, New York, acquired 1979, sold to Hooker Corporation in 1987.

The company is the American unit of Australia's Hooker Corporation.

But change is stirring the specialty-store chain's formerly stuffy air, since it was sold last month to the Hooker Corporation, an Australian real-estate development company.

But a bankruptcy judge said no decision would be made until May 18, giving the owner, the Hooker Corporation, the opportunity to review the offers.

The Hooker Corporation was placed in receivership a year ago with debts of about $1.6 billion.

Work on Garden City was undertaken by Hooker Corporation, and began in 1970.

The chain was acquired in 1987 by the Hooker Corporation of Australia, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 1989.

Both fell victim to the bankruptcy proceedings at their parent company, the Hooker Corporation.

The chains are owned by the Hooker Corporation, which is in receivership in Australia.

The chairman of the Hooker Corporation was ordered on Friday to stand trial on corruption charges.