The turnaround artist

Over the past few years, turnaround investor Sun Capital Partners has been involved with a number of high-profile retail buyouts, including Mervyns and the Pamida and ShopKo chains, as well as specialty retailers like Wickes Furniture, Mattress Firm and Nationwide Furniture. But as Gary Talarico, head of the Boca Raton, Florida-based firm's New York office, is quick to point out, the firm doesn't seek out retail or real estate deals. Rather, the firm invests in distressed companies and looks to use the company's property in the recovery.