Levitz hires ad agency to create its new image.(Levitz Furniture; Harry Drury Cohen)

Levitz Furniture, a wobbly chain seeking to emerge from bankruptcy, has hired Fort Lauderdale advertising agency Harris Drury Cohen to help rebuild its image.

The Boca Raton company closed all of its stores in Florida and five other states in the past few months, but still has a substantial presence on the East and West coasts and the Midwest. It operates 64 stores in 13 states, selling mid-price brand name furniture and accessories.

The company's strategy is to focus on markets where it's doing well and develop greater name recognition and customer loyalty.

Harris Drury is one of the region's largest ad shops and had more than $100 million in 1998 …