Judge OKs details in Hartmarx bidding

A British company bidding on a Chicago clothier that's made suits for President Barack Obama says it looks forward to "keeping the business whole and operating."

On Tuesday, a Chicago judge approved final details on a bidding process for the purchase of Hartmarx Corp. by Emerisque Brands U.K. Limited and SKNL North America BV.

Emerisque and Hartmarx representatives spent days renegotiating a deal that Hartmarx creditor Wells Fargo & Co. said was too low.

Harmartx filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January

Hartmarx workers threatened a sit-in if Wells Fargo liquidated the company.

Emerisque's bid is subject to a competitive auction this month. Hartmarx says dozens of bidders are interested.

A Wells Fargo spokeswoman declined to comment Tuesday.