EXHIBIT 99.3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 EMPIRE OF CAROLINA ANNOUNCES COMPLETED SALE OF
                               THREE SUBSIDIARIES

Delray Beach, FL; February 2, 2001 - Empire of Carolina, Inc. announced today
that on January 18, 2001, it consummated the sale of the outstanding stock of
three of its non-debtor subsidiaries, Dorson Sports, Inc., Apple Golf Shoes,
Inc. and Apple Sports, Inc., for a purchase price totaling approximately $8
million. The purchase price was comprised of payment to Empire of approximately
$2 million in cash and the repayment of approximately $6 million in bank loans.
As a condition to the sale, the stock and assets of the subsidiaries were
required to be free of all liens.. The purchasers were Dorson Sports
Acquisition, Inc., Apple Shoes Acquisition, Inc. and Apple Sports Acquisition,
Inc. In connection with the sale, Empire assigned to the purchasers all rights
under an executory license agreement with Pacific Cycles, LLC for the use of the
Mongoose(R)trademark and all rights under a license agreement with Wilson
Sporting Goods Co. for the use of the Wilson(R)trademark. Timothy Moran,
Empire's former CEO, is a principal of the purchasers. Also, in connection with
the sale transaction, LaSalle National Bank, as agent for the Empire's lenders,
agreed to release each of Apple Golf Shoes, Inc., Apple Sports, Inc. and Dorson
Sports, Inc. from its guaranty of Empire Industries, Inc.'s bank credit facility
and to release Empire Industries, Inc. from its guaranty of the bank credit
facility extended to Apple Golf Shoes, Inc., Apple Sports, Inc. and Dorson
Sports, Inc.

The sale was preliminarily approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on January 3,
2001, contingent upon receipt of higher bids. No higher bid was received and on
January 17, 2001, the Court entered its Final Order approving the sale.

Empire of Carolina, Inc. which designs, develops, manufactures and markets a
broad range of consumer products including children's toys, and its subsidiary,
Empire Industries, Inc., filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 on November
17, 2000 and has continued operations on a debtor-in-possession basis.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements and information that
are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to management, including management's plans and
objectives. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The
Company's liquidity, capital resources, and results of operations may be
affected from time to time by a number of factors and risks, including, but not
limited to, the factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission; the ability of the Company to continue operations under
debtor-in-possession financing; operate successfully under a Chapter 11
proceeding; obtain shipments and negotiate terms with vendors and service
providers for current orders; fund and execute a new operating plan for the
Company; attract and retain key executives and associates; meet competitive
pressures which may affect the nature and viability of the Company's business
strategy; generate cash flow; attract and retain customers; and manage its
business notwithstanding potential adverse publicity. Certain of these as well
as other risks and uncertainties are stated in more detail in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any
such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or
developments.

CONTACT: President, Empire of Carolina, Inc., 631-585-5400.