Exhibit 5.37
November 22, 2011
Burlington Coat Factory of Vermont, LLC
c/o Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation
1830 Route 130 North
Burlington, NJ 08016
Re:Exchange Offer Pursuant to Registration Statement on Form S-4
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special Vermont counsel to Burlington Coat Factory of Vermont, LLC, a Vermont limited liability company (the “Vermont Guarantor”). This opinion letter is being delivered in connection with the proposed registration by Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), of $450,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 10% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Exchange Notes”), to be guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by the Vermont Guarantor and each of the guarantors listed onSchedule A hereto (together with the Vermont Guarantor, the “Guarantors” and each a “Guarantor” and together with the Issuer, the “Registrants”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on July 15, 2011. Such Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement.” The Exchange Notes are to be issued by the Issuer, and the Guarantees are to be issued by the Guarantors, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of February 24, 2011 (the “Indenture”) by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. The Exchange Notes are to be issued in exchange for and in replacement of the Issuer’s 10% Senior Notes due 2019, issued on February 24, 2011 (the “Old Notes”), of which $450,000,000 in aggregate principal amount is outstanding and is subject to the exchange offer pursuant to the Registration Statement. The obligations of the Issuer under the Exchange Notes will be guaranteed by the Vermont Guarantor, along with the other Guarantors, pursuant to guarantee provisions in the Indenture. This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 21 of Form S-4 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Act.
We have not been involved in the preparation of the Registration Statement, nor were we involved in the negotiation, preparation or execution of the Indenture or Guarantees contained therein, or any of the related agreements executed or delivered in connection with the Original Notes or the Exchange Notes. We have been retained solely for the purpose of rendering a single opinion pursuant to Vermont law with respect to the Vermont Guarantor and have not represented the Vermont Guarantor in any other instance.
Burlington Coat Factory of Vermont, LLC | November 22, 2011 | |
Page 2 |
In rendering the opinion stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) | the Registration Statement; |
(b) | the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”); |
(c) | the Indenture; |
(d) | a certificate from the Secretary of the Vermont Guarantor, dated as of the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”), certifying as to: (A) true and correct copies of the articles of organization and limited liability company agreement of the Vermont Guarantor (the “Organizational Documents”) and the resolutions of the sole member of the Vermont Guarantor, dated November 2, 2010, and (B) the execution and delivery of the Indenture by persons acting as officers of the Vermont Guarantor who, at the respective times of such execution and delivery, were duly elected or appointed, qualified and acting officers of the Vermont Guarantor; and |
(e) | a certificate dated February 10, 2011 issued by the Vermont Secretary of State, attesting to the limited liability company status of the Vermont Guarantor in the State of Vermont (the “Good Standing Certificate”). |
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Issuer and the Vermont Guarantor and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Issuer, the Guarantors and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion stated below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinion stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Issuer, the Guarantors and others and of public officials. To the extent that we have reviewed and relied upon (a) certificates of the Vermont Guarantor or authorized representatives thereof, including the Secretary’s Certificate, (b) the representations set forth in the Indenture, and (c) certificates and assurances from public officials, including the Good Standing Certificate, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that all of such certificates, representations and assurances are accurate and complete as of the date therein stated and have relied upon the certifications made therein without independent investigation.
Our opinions herein are limited to the Vermont Limited Liability Company Act (the “VLLCA”), which shall include the statutory provisions contained therein and the reported judicial decisions interpreting the VLLCA. We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, cases, orders, decisions, rules, regulations or government authority.
Burlington Coat Factory of Vermont, LLC | November 22, 2011 | |
Page 2 |
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Guarantees by the Vermont Guarantor have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action on the part of the Vermont Guarantor under the VLLCA.
The opinion stated herein is limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, by the exercise of judicial discretion, by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law), and by public policy considerations that may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies.
This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law, and we have assumed that at no future time would any such subsequent changes of fact or law affect adversely our ability to render at such time an opinion containing the same legal conclusions set forth herein and subject only to such (or fewer) assumptions, limitations and qualifications as are contained herein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. Subject to all qualifications, limitations, exceptions, restrictions and assumptions set forth herein, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, legal counsel to the Company and the Guarantors, may rely upon this opinion with respect to matters set forth herein that are governed by Vermont law for purposes of its opinion being delivered and filed as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Gravel and Shea
Schedule A
Guarantors | Jurisdiction of Organization | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Alabama, LLC | Alabama | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Huntsville, LLC | Alabama | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Anchorage, Inc. | Alaska | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Mesa, Inc. | Arizona | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Desert Sky, Inc. | Arizona | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Arizona, LLC | Arizona | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Arkansas, LLC | Arkansas | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Dublin, Inc. | California | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Florin, Inc. | California | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Ventura, Inc. | California | |
Baby Depot of California, LLC | California | |
Burlington Coat Factory of California, LLC | California | |
Burlington Coat Factory of San Bernardino, LLC | California | |
MJM Designer Shoes of California, LLC | California | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Colorado, LLC | Colorado | |
Burlington Coat Realty of East Windsor, Inc. | Connecticut | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Connecticut, LLC | Connecticut | |
Cohoes Fashions of Connecticut, LLC | Connecticut | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Texas, Inc. | Delaware | |
C.F.I.C. Corporation | Delaware | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty Corp. | Delaware | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Delaware, LLC | Delaware | |
MJM Designer Shoes of Delaware, LLC | Delaware | |
Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc. | Delaware | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Texas, L.P. | Delaware | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of University Square, Inc. | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Coral Springs, Inc. | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of West Colonial, Inc. | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Orlando, Inc. | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Sarasota, Inc. | Florida | |
K&T Acquisition Corp. | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Florida, LLC | Florida | |
MJM Designer Shoes of Florida, LLC | Florida | |
Bee Ridge Plaza, LLC | Florida | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Atlanta, Inc. | Georgia | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Morrow, Inc. | Georgia | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Georgia, LLC | Georgia | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Hawaii, LLC | Hawaii | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Idaho, LLC | Idaho | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of East St. Louis, Inc. | Illinois | |
Burlington Coat Realty of Gurnee, Inc. | Illinois | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Bloomingdale, Inc. | Illinois | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of River Oaks, Inc. | Illinois | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Illinois, LLC | Illinois |
Guarantors | Jurisdiction of Organization | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Greenwood, Inc. | Indiana | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Indiana, LLC | Indiana | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Iowa, LLC | Iowa | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Kansas, LLC | Kansas | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Kentucky, Inc. | Kentucky | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Louisiana, LLC | Louisiana | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Maine, LLC | Maine | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Maryland, LLC | Maryland | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of North Attleboro, Inc. | Massachusetts | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Massachusetts, LLC | Massachusetts | |
Cohoes Fashions of Massachusetts, LLC | Massachusetts | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Detroit, Inc. | Michigan | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Grand Rapids, Inc. | Michigan | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Redford, Inc. | Michigan | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Michigan, LLC | Michigan | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Minnesota, LLC | Minnesota | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Mississippi, LLC | Mississippi | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Des Peres, Inc. | Missouri | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Missouri, LLC | Missouri | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Montana, LLC | Montana | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Nebraska, LLC | Nebraska | |
Burlington Coat Realty of Las Vegas, Inc. | Nevada | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Nevada, LLC | Nevada | |
Burlington Coat Factory of New Hampshire, LLC | New Hampshire | |
Burlington Coat Factory Direct Corporation | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Edgewater Park, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of New Jersey, Inc. | New Jersey | |
MJM Designer Shoes of Moorestown, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Super Baby Depot of Moorestown, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Edgewater Park, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Paramus, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Pinebrook, Inc. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Edgewater Park Urban Renewal Corp. | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory of New Jersey, LLC | New Jersey | |
Cohoes Fashions of New Jersey, LLC | New Jersey | |
MJM Designer Shoes of New Jersey, LLC | New Jersey | |
Burlington Coat Factory of New Mexico, LLC | New Mexico | |
LC Acquisition Corp. | New York | |
Georgetown Fashions Inc. | New York | |
Monroe G. Milstein, Inc. | New York | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Yonkers, Inc. | New York | |
Burlington Coat Factory of New York, LLC | New York | |
Cohoes Fashions of New York, LLC | New York | |
MJM Designer Shoes of New York, LLC | New York | |
Burlington Coat Factory of North Carolina, LLC | North Carolina | |
Burlington Coat Factory of North Dakota, LLC | North Dakota | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Cleveland, Inc. | Ohio |
Guarantors | Jurisdiction of Organization | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Ohio, LLC | Ohio | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Tulsa, Inc. | Oklahoma | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Oklahoma, LLC | Oklahoma | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Oregon, LLC | Oregon | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Cheltenham, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Langhorne, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Montgomeryville, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of West Mifflin, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Langhorne, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Whitehall, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Factory Warehouse of Reading, Inc. | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Bristol, LLC | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Pennsylvania, LLC | Pennsylvania | |
MJM Designer Shoes of Pennsylvania, LLC | Pennsylvania | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Puerto Rico, LLC | Puerto Rico | |
Cohoes Fashions of Cranston, Inc. | Rhode Island | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Rhode Island, LLC | Rhode Island | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Charleston, Inc. | South Carolina | |
Burlington Coat Factory of South Carolina, LLC | South Carolina | |
Burlington Coat Factory of South Dakota, LLC | South Dakota | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Hickory Commons, Inc. | Tennessee | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Memphis, Inc. | Tennessee | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Shelby, Inc. | Tennessee | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Memphis, Inc. | Tennessee | |
Burlington Coat Realty of Plano, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Baytown, Inc. | Texas | |
MJM Designer Shoes of Texas, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Realty of Houston, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Westmoreland, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Bellaire, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of El Paso, Inc. | Texas | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Utah, LLC | Utah | |
BCF Cards, Inc. | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse of Coliseum, Inc. | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Realty of Potomac, Inc. | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Fairfax, Inc. | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Coliseum, Inc. | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Virginia, LLC | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Pocono Crossing, LLC | Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory Realty of Franklin, Inc. | Washington | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Washington, LLC | Washington | |
Burlington Coat Factory of West Virginia, LLC | West Virginia | |
Burlington Coat Factory of Wisconsin, LLC | Wisconsin |